GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Manual

Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow or sand, your wl~ecls
won't get
good traction. You ca11.t accelerate ;IS quickly,
turning
is nm-e difficult, and you'll need longer
braking distances.
It's best to use
a low gear when you're in mud -- the
deeper the mud, the lower the gear.
In really deep mud.
the idea is to keep your vehicle moving
so ~OLI don't
get stuck.
When
you drive on sand, you'll sense a change in wheel
traction. But it will depend upon how loosely p~~ked the
sand is. On loosely prncked sand (as on beaches or sand
dunes) your tires will tend
to sink into the sand. This has
a11 effect on steering. accelerating and braking. You may
want
to reduce the air pressure in your tires slightly
when driving on sand. This will ilnprove traction.
Hard packed snow and
ice offer the worst tire traction.
On these surfaces, it's very easy to lose control. On wet
ice, for example, the traction is
so poor that you will
have difficulty accelerating. And if you do get moving.
poor steering and difficult braking
can C~LIS~ you to slide
out
of colltl*ol.
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds or ws can be
dangerous. Underwat.er springs, currents under
the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the ice. Your
vehicle could
fall through the ice and you and
your passengers could drown. Drive your vehicle
on safe surfaces
only.
Driving in Water
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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.
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Driving at Night
0 Drive defensively.
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Night Vision
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Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
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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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Hydroplaning Driving Through Deep Standing Water
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine's air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that
is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very
s1ow;ly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
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City Driving
Here itre ways to increase your safety in city driving:
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Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules. The
most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane
on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view
of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your
turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
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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'?
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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 cf soc-ond, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you
do about highway
aware that
it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is we1
comfortably cool interior. 1ypmsis'?
First. be
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Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
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 nlountains 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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