tow CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1993 Owner's Manual

Brake System Warning Light
BRAKE
-
K2325
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part
isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking,
though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light goes on, there
could be
a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start the vehicle.
If it doesn’t come on
then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
This light will also come
on when you set your parking brake, and it will stay
on
if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you may have
a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer to
the floor. It may take longer
to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.)
I CAUTION
I A Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake warning
b light is on. Driving with the brake warning light on can lead to an
I accident. If the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road and
stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service. I
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NOTICE
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your \
vehicle. For
more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see “Loadin\
g Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to
make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
Be sure the cargo is properly loaded.
If small heavy objects are placed on the roof, place the load in the area
over the rear wheels (behind the rear side door on wagon mod\
els).
If
you need to, cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to fit inside the cross rails
and side rails to spread the load.
If plywood is used, tie it to the side
rail supports.
Tie the load to the cross rails or the side rail supports. Use the cross
rails only to keep the load from sliding.
If you need to carry long items, move the cross rails as far\
apart as
they will go. Tie the load to the cross rails and the side \
rails or side rail supports. Also tie the load to the bumpers.
Do not tie the load so tightly
that the cross rails or side rails are damaged.
After moving the cross rails, be sure to tighten all the slider screws.
To reduce wind noise, the cross rails must be installed with the \
narrow edge
toward the front of the vehicle.
Also, the front cross rail should be about 8 inches (200 mm) behind the front
anchor on Utility models.
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Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
Heating System (Without Air Conditioning)
K2441
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, this is what your heating
system will look like.
Fan Knob
The knob on the right has four positions. To increase the air flow, turn it
toward
(t). To decrease the air flow, turn it toward (-).
Temperature Lever
The bottom lever lets you select the temperature of the air f\
lowing into your
vehicle. Move the lever right toward
(+) for warmer air. Move the lever left
toward
(-) for cooler air.
Function Lever
The top lever can be moved to three different heating functions.
Defrost (Right): This setting operates the defroster. Heated air comes\
out
near the windshield. Use this when you get fog
or ice on the windshield.
Heater (Center): Heated air comes out near the floor. This is best for cold
weather.
Vent (Left): The air comes out at the vents on your instrument panel and
at your front side windows.
Placing the lever between positions sends air
out both vents.
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Right Button
Defrost (Top): Press here to operate the defroster. Heated air comes out
near the windshield. You can use it to help clear fog or ice on your
windshield.
Heater (Bottom): Press here, and heated air comes out near the floor. This
setting is best for passenger comfort in cold weather.
The air flow can be blended between the two positions.
To blend between
positions, press the side of the button showing the area where you would like
more air flow. The system will automatically begin to blend to\
ward the position
chosen. To
stop the system between positions, just press the SAME side of
the button again.
Left Button
Vent (Top): Press the top of this button and all of the airflow will come
through the instrument panel vents.
Heater (Bottom): Press the bottom of this button and all of the airflow will
come through the floor outlet.
The air flow can be blended between the two positions.
To blend between
positions, press the side
of the switch showing the area where you would like
more air flow. The system will automatically begin to blend toward the position
chosen. To stop the system between positions, just press the
SAME side of
the button again.
Temperature Selector Bar
The bar under your system display lets you select the temperat\
ure of the air
coming into your vehicle. Press
COLD for cooler air and press HOT for
warmer air. Release the bar when the system reaches the temper\
ature you
want. The temperature is shown on the display by an arrow mov\
ing between
C and H.
Fan Control Button
This button is in the upper right corner of your system control panel. The fan
has four settings-low, medium low, medium high and high. Press the top of
the button
(t) to increase the air flow. Press the bottom of the button (-) to
decrease the air flow. The setting you select is shown on your display as
LOW, MED LOW, MED HI or HI.
Air Recirculation Button
If you press the MAX button (RECIR on some models), the air in your
vehicle will be recirculated. With the air conditioner on,
MAX will give you
maximum cooling.
It can also be used in all modes to help keep dust out of
your vehicle. When MAX is selected, REC will light on your display.
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Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
Rear Air Conditioning and Rear Heater
Front Control Rear Control
K2479
If your vehicle has a rear air conditioning and rear heater system
combination, controls are provided to regulate the temperature, \
location and
speed of the air flow.
To adjust the air temperature, turn the temperature knob on the r\
ight side of
the control panel. For warmer air turn the knob to the right (re\
d) side, and
for cooler air, turn the knob to the left (blue) side.
To regulate the air flow location, adjust the center knob on the \
control panel,
Turn the knob toward the left for floor vent air flow or tow\
ard the right for headliner vent air flow. Generally, the upper vents are used f\
or air
conditioning and the floor vents for heating: however, the cont\
rol knob may be
set to allow any desired blend
of air flow.
To adjust the air flow speed, turn the fan control knob on the \
left side of the
control panel to the desired blower setting.
To activate the rear control, move the fan knob on the front control to REAR
CNTL. This will allow second seat passengers to adjust the controls as they
desi re.
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Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving different kinds of roads and in
varying weather conditions . We’ve also included many other useful tips on
driving
.
Road Signs ........................................................................\
.................................... 4-2
Defensive Driving
........................................................................\
.......................... 4-9
Drunken Driving
........................................................................\
........................... 4-10
Control of a Vehicle
.................. ; ........................................................................\
. 4-13
Braking
........................................................................\
...................................... 4-13
Steering
........................................................................\
.................................... 4-18
Steering in Emergencies
........................................................................\
......... 4-19
Passing
........................................................................\
..................................... 4-21
Loss of Control ........................................................................\
........................ 4-23
Driving Guidelines (Utility
Models) ..................................................................... 4-24
Off-Road Driving With Your Four-wheel Drive Vehicle
.................................... 4-24
Driving at Night
........................................................................\
........................... 4-35
Driving in the Rain
........................................................................\
...................... 4-37
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze
........................................................................\
.. 4-40
City Driving
........................................................................\
.................................. 4-42
Freeway Driving
........................................................................\
........................... 4-43
Driving
a Long Distance ........................................................................\
............. 4-44
Hill and Mountain Roads ........................................................................\
............ 4-47
Parking
on Hills ........................................................................\
........................... 4-49
Winter Driving
........................................................................\
.............................. 4-53
Towing a Trailer
........................................................................\
........................... 4-56
Power Winches
........................................................................\
............................ 4-64
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LO w
SHOULDER WORKERS
AHEAD
e D
u
FLAGGER AHEAD
AM402003
ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance. You’ll want to slow
down when you see an orange sign, as part
of the road may be closed off
or torn up. And there may be workers and maintenance vehicles around, \
too.
SMALLTOWN WEsTr- ! lt -
c J 1UI I 1 MILE
AM40200
GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may indicate upcoming
freeway exits or show the direction you should turn to reach a particular
place.
H
HOSPITAL
~~ ~
!AST I
roWN
I
EXIT
44
4.
-
AM402005
BLUE signs with white letters show motorists’ services.
4-3
a
INFORMATION
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Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defens\
ively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your vehicle: Buckle up.
(See ‘Safety Belts”
in the Index.)
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On\
city streets, rural
roads, or freeways,
it means “always expect the unexpected,”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Expect children to dash out from behind parked cars, often followed
by other
children. Expect occupants in parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch
for
movement in parked cars-someone may be about to open a door.
Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a through street. Be
ready
to brake if necessary as you go through intersections. You may not
have to use the brake, but
if you do, you will be ready.
If you’re driving through a shopping center parking lot where there are
well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking are\
as, expect some drivers to ignore all these markings and dash straight toward one part
of the lot.
Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general, you must give way
to pedestrians even
if you know you have the right of way.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable
of accidents. Yet they are
common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defens\
ive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle
in
front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.
Here’s a final bit of information about defensive driving. The most dangerous
time for driving in the
US. is very early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM
Research studies show that the most and the least dangerous times for
driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is Sunday. The most
dangerous time is Sunday
3 a,m. to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Driving the same distance on a Sunday at 3 a.m. isn’t
just
a little more dangerous than it is at 10 a.m. It’s about 134 times more
dangerous.
That leads to the next part.
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Your Driving and the Road
Before changing lanes, check your rearview mirrors. Then use yo\
ur turn
signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over yo\
ur shoulder to
make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot.
If you are moving from an outside to a center lane on a freeway\
having
more than two lanes, make sure another vehicle isn’t about to move into the
same spot. Look at the vehicles two lanes over and watch for \
telltale signs:
turn signals flashing, an increase in speed, or moving toward \
the edge of the
lane. Be prepared to delay your move.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a \
reasonable
following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night.
Leaving the Freeway
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane \
well in
advance. Dashing across lanes at the last minute is dangerous. \
If you miss
your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. \
Drive
on to the
next exit.
At each exit point is a deceleration lane. Ideally it should be long enough for
you to enter it at freeway speed (after signaling, of course) and then do your
braking before moving onto the exit ramp. Unfortunately, not al\
l deceleration
lanes are long enough-some are too short for
all the braking. Decide when
to start braking.
If you must brake on the through lane, and if there is traffic
close behind you, you can allow a little extra time and flash\
your brake lights
(in addition to your turn signal) as extra warning that you are about to slow
down and 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. For example,
40 mph (65 km/h) might seem like only 20 mph (30 kmlh). Obviously, this
could lead to serious trouble on a ramp designed for
20 mph (30 km/h)!
Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are made on freeways, there are\
still many
made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and regular highways is the same in some
ways. The trip has to be planned and the vehicle prepared, yo\
u drive at higher-than-city speeds, and there are longer turns behind the wheel. You’ll
enjoy your trip more
if you and your vehicle are in good shape. Here are
some tips for
a successful long trip.
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A
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) 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 could crash. Always
have your engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go
I
downhill.
e
e
e
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. That way, you won’t be
surprised by
a vehicle coming toward you in the same lane.
It takes longer to pass another vehicle when you’re going uphill. You’ll
want to leave extra room
to pass. If a vehicle is passing you and
doesn’t have enough
room, slow down to make it easier for the other
vehicle to get by.
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 highway signs on mountains that warn
of special problems.
Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a fallin\
g rocks
area, or winding roads. Be alert
to these and take appropriate action.
Winter driving can present special problems. See “Winter Driv\
ing”
in the
Index.
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