lights CHEVROLET TRACKER 1994 User Guide

Features and Controls
a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have
it fixed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling
at a stop, the light may blink on and
off. This is normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may
come on for a moment. This is
normal.
A CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure
is low, If' you do, your engine can
be~ome so hot that it catches fae.
You UT ol;krers could be burned.
Check your oil as SQOD as possible
and have yaw vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warranty.
laytime Running Lights (DRL)
ndicator Light (Canada)
F your vehicle was first sold, when new,
I Canada, you will have this light on the
xtrument panel.
It goes on whenever the
laytime Running Lights are on.
Convertible Top (OPTION)
Your convertible top features a sunroof, a
removable rear window and a removable
canvas top.
A CAlJTtON:
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Your Driving and the Road
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.
So here are some tips for passing:
“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.
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
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indicates it’s 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.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want
to pass while you’re awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces your area of
vision, especially
if you’re following a
larger vehicle.
Also, you won‘t have
adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When
it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay
in the right lane and don’t get too
close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed
as the time comes 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.
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If other cars are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait your turn.
But take
care that someone isn’t trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the
slow
vehicle. Remember to glance over your
shoulder and check the blind spot.
Check your 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 inside mirror,
activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane.
(Remember that your right outside
mirror is convex. The vehicle you just
passed may seem
to be farther away
from you than
it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle
at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider
before passing the next vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving
vehicle
too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing,
it may
be slowing down or starting to
turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy
for the following driver to get ahead
of you. Perhaps you can ease
a little
to the right.
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Your Driving and the Road
0 Does the travel take you uphill or
downhill? (There’s more discussion of
these subjects later.)
change direction quickly?
0 Will you have to stop suddenly or
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 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 this
is
certainly true for off-road driving. At the
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very time you need special alertness and
driving skills, your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment 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.)
Driving On Off-Road Hills
Off-road driving often takes you up,
jown, or across a hill. Driving safely on
hills requires good judgment and an
understanding of what your vehicle can
md can’t do. There are some hills that
;imply can’t be driven, no matter how
well built the vehicle.
Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, you need to
decide if
it’s one of those hills that’s just
too steep to climb, descend, or cross.
Steepness can be hard
to judge. On a very
small
hill, for example, there may be a
smooth, constant incline with only a small
change
in elevation where you can easily
see all the way to the top. On a large hill,
the incline may get steeper as you near
the top, but you may not see this because
the crest of
the hill is hidden by bushes,
grass,
or shrubs.
Here are some other things
to consider as
you approach a hill.
Is there a constant incline, or does the
hill get sharply steeper in places?
Is there good traction on the hillside,
or will the surface cause tire slipping?
Is there a straight path up or down the
hill so you won’t have to make turning
maneuvers?
Are there obstructions on the hill that
can block your path (boulders, trees,
logs or ruts)?
What’s beyond the hill?
Is there a cliff,
an embankment, a drop-off, a fence?
Get out and walk the
hill if you don’t
know. It’s the smart way to find out.
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0 Is the hill simply too rough‘? Steep hills
often have ruts, gullies, troughs and
exposed rocks because
they are more
susceptible
to the effects of erosion.
Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up
the hill,
you need to take some special
steps.
0 Use a low gear and get a firm grip on
the steering wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try
to maintain your speed. Don’t use
more power than
you need, because
you don’t want your wheels
to start
spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at a1
possible.
If the path twists and turns,
you might want to find another route.
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Ease up on your speed as you
approach the top
of the hill.
Attach a flag to the vehicle to tnake
you more visible to approaching
traffic on trails
or hills.
Sound the
horn as you approach the
top
of the hill to let opposing traffic
know you’re there.
Use your headlights even during the
day. They make you more visible
to
oncoming traffic.
Q: What should I do if my vehicle
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stalls, or is about to stall, and I can’t
make
it up the hill?
If this happens, there are some things
you should do, and there are some
things you must not do. First, here’s
what you should do:
Push the brake pedal
to stop the
vehicle and keep
it from rolling
backwards. Also, apply
the parking
brake.
If your engine is still running, shift the
transmission into reverse, release the
parking brake, and slowly back down
the
hill in reverse.
If your engine has stopped running,
you’ll need to restart it. With the brake
pedal depressed and
the parking brake
still applied,
shift the transmission to
“P” (Park) (or, shift to “N” (Neutral)
if your vehicle has a manual
transmission) and restart
the engine.
Then, shift
to reverse, release the
parking brake, and slowly back down
the
hill as straight as possible in
reverse.
As you are backing down the hill, put
your left hand
on the steering wheel at
the
12 o’clock position. This way,
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Your Driving and the Road
long as your tailpipe is under water, you'll
never be able to
start your engine. When
you go through water, remember that
when your brakes get wet, it may take
you longer to stop.
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 the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust 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 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.
Drive defensively.
Don't drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to
reduce the glare from headlights
behind you.
Since you can't see as well,
you may
need to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
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Slow down, especially on higher
speed roads. Your headlights can light
up
only so much road ahead.
0 In remote areas. watch for animals.
0 If you're tired, pull off the road in a
safe place md rest.
Night Vision
No one can see 11s well at night as in the
daytime.
But as we get older these
differences increase. A SO-year-old driver
may require at least twice as much
light to
see the same thing
a( night :is 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're driving, don't wear
sunglasses at night. They may cut down
on glare from headlights. but they also
make
a lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by
approaching lights. It c;tn take a second or
two,
or even several seconds, for your
eyes
to readjust to the dark. When you are
ked with severe glare
(as from a driver
who doesn't lower the high beams. or a vehicle with Inisaimed headlights), slow.
down
a little. Avoid staring directly into
the approaching lights.
Keep your windshield and
all the glass on
your vehicle clean - inside and out.
Glare
at night is nladc 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 your hcacilights light
up
far less of' LI roadway when you are in a
turn or curve.
Kecp your eycs moving: that way,
it's
casier to pick out dimly lighted objects.
Just
as your headlights should be checked
regularly for proper aim.
so should your
eyes be examined regulurly.
Some drivers
suffer from night blindness
- the
inability to see
in dim light - and aren't
even aware
of it.
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads can mean driving
trouble. On
a wet road you can't stop,
accelerate
or turn as well because your
tire-to-road traction isn't as good as on
dry roads. And,
if your tires don't have
much tread left, you'll get even less
traction.
It's 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.
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Your Driving and the Road
It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield
washer tank filled. 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.
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 can’t, 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’re going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no
contact
with the road.
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 surface,
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
Turn on your low-beam headlights -
not just your parking lights - to help
make you more visible to others.
0 Besides slowing down, allow some
extra following distance. And be
especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more
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Wiper Blades: Are they in good
shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
Lights: 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 Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date
maps?
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 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:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the
road ahead and to
the sides. Check
your mirrors and your instruments
frequently.
0 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.
Hill and Mountain
Roads
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.)
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.
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Your Driving and the Road
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you
could be in a serious situation. You should
probably stay with your vehicle unless
you know
for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the snow. Here
are some things to do to summon help and
keep yourself and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard flashers. Tie a red
cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you’ve been stopped by the snow. Put on
extra clothing or wrap
a blanket around
you. If you have no blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators from
newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats
- anything you can wrap around yourself
or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can
run the engine to keep warm, but
be careful. Run your engine
only as long as
you
must. This saves fuel. When you run the
engine, make it go 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 headlights. Let the
heater run for awhile.
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
3s 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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0
distance is less than 12 inches, take
the foot off the trailer tongue.
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. Always leave just enough slack
so
you can turn with pour 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 brakes so you'll be able to
install, ad-just and maintain them properly.
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 cc) of fluid from your vehicle's
master cylinder.
If it does. both
systems won't work well. You could
even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take
3,000
psi (20 650 kPa) 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. 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 so
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform. safety chains, electrical
contwxtor. lights, 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
lights and any trailer brakes are
still
working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as
you would when driving
your vehicle without
a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up
ahead when you're towing a tnliler. And.
because you're
B good deal longer, you'll
need to go much farther beyond the
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