ESP CHEVROLET S10 1994 2.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loading Your Vehide for Off-Road Rriving
There are some important things to remember about how to load your
vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your
rear axle. Put heavier items as
far forward as you cm.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain
doesn’t toss things around.
You’ll find other important information in this manual. See
“ Vehicle
Loading,” and “Tires” in the Index.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going to a rem\
ote area.
Know the terrain and plan your route. You are much less likely to get bad
surprises. Get accurate maps of
trails and terrain. Try to learn of any
blocked or closed roads.
It’s also a good idea to travel with at least one other v\
ehicle.
If something
happens to one
of them, the other can help quickly.
Does your vehicle have a winch?
If so, be sure to read the winch
instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy
if you get stuck. But
you’ll want to know how to use
it properly.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ge.tting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It’s a good idea to practice in an area that’s safe and close to home befor\
e
you go into the wilderness. Off-road driving does require some new and
different driving
skills. Here’s what we mean.
Tune your senses to different kinds of signals. Your eyes, for example, need
to constantly sweep the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to
listen for unusual tire
or engine sounds. With your arms, hands, feet, and
body you’ll need to respond to vibrations and vehicle bounce\
.
control ling^ your vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of
the best ways to control your vehicle is to control your speed. Here are some
things to keep
in mind. At higher speeds:
you approach things faster and you have less time to scan the ter\
rain for
obstacles.
you have less time to react.
0 you have more vehicle bounce when you drive over obstacles.
0 you’ll need more distance for braking, especially since you’re on an
unpaved surface.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-rdad driving can take you over many different kinds of terrain. You
need to be familiar with the terrain and its many different f\
eatures. Here
are
some things to consider.
Sufface Conditions. Off-roading can take you over hard-packed dirt,
gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, 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 tra\
ction, and
longer braking distances.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Surface Obstacles. 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 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 g\
rip 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 whe\
els 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 turns,
or sudden 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 road. And t\
his is
certainly true for off-road driving. At the very time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your reflexes, perceptions and jud\
gment can be
affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You could have a serious
- or
even fatal
- accident if you drink and drive or ride with a driver who has
been drinking. (See “Drunken Driving” in the Index.)
1
4-16.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the underbody, chassis or
under the hood. These accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check th\
e body structure, steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust syste\
m 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 booklet for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. 0 ne 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.
Drive defensively.
0 Don’t drink and drive.
0 Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from ndlights
behind you.
0 Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
0 Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light
space between you and other vehicles.
up only
so much road ahead.
0 In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t 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 surfa\
ce, there
could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and
fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice
is to slow down when it is
raining.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
0 Turn on your low-beam headlights - not just your parking lights - to
help make you more visible to others.
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.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in\
the Index.)
City Driving
I
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on
them. You’ll want
to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay
attention to traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety
in city driving:
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can tow trailers to 2,000 pounds (900 kg) with a step bumper hitch, but
if your trailer tongue has a V-shaped foot, your bumper could be damaged
in sharp turns. Check the distance from the front edge of the foot to the
middle of the hitch ball socket.
If the distance is less than 12 inches, take the
foot
off the trailer tongue.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trail\
er.
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. 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 pounds (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 bE---:s
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Your trailer brakes system can tap into vehicle’s hydraulic brake system
except:
Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the trailer’s brake system will
use more than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3~~) of fluid from your vehicle’s master
cylinder. If it does, both braking systems won’t work well. You could even
lose your brakes.
Will the trailer parts take
3,000 psi (20 650 Pa) of pressure? If not, the
trailer brake system must not be used with your vehicle.
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.
Driving with a Trailer
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. Acquai\
nt 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
so responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains,
electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment. If th\
e trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then\
apply the
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - . ?
-. “C ^.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold 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 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, an\
d 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.
Trailer Light Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If a Tire Goes Flat
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 much 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 firrnly. Steer to maintain lane position, then g\
ently 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
your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under co\
ntrol by
steering the way you 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.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your jacking equipment to
change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a
level place. Turn on your hazard waming flashers.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will help prevent
deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system. That hel\
ps keep your
engine
in tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s \
good
for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates. General Motc
recommends that you use gasolines with these blending niaterials,
sucn as
MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in
those parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated
gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehi\
cle
emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated g\
asoline.
By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators
if their gasolines contain
deposit control additives and oxygenates, and if they have been\

reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tankful, your emission controls won’t work well or \
at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system \
can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be damaged. All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a ma\
jor oil
company that does business in the country where you’ll be d\
riving.
You can also write us at the following address for advice.
Just tell us where.
you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VI\
N).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine . . . -*
I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if you check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid\
level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating\

temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check transmissionfluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24
km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10OC).
If it's colder than 50°F (10" C), drive the vehicle in "D" (3rd Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the hot check procedures.
Tu check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used only as \
a
reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures
are
50°F (10OC) or more. If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a cold ch\
eck,
you
must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will give you a\

more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in "P' (Park).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever throu\
gh each
gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range. Then,
position the shift lever in
"P' (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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