wheel GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Guide

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
YOLI have to fully apply your regular brake before you
can shift
from PARK (PI when the ignition is in the
RUN position. See "Automatic Transmission Operation"
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P)? ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want (you must
press the shift lever button
if you have the console
shift lever).
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out
of PARK (P)? try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 3.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, turn off your engine,
put your- manual transmission in REVERSE (R) and
firmly apply the parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive with it manual transfer case
shift lever, be sure your transfer case is in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll
if it isn't.
If you are parking on a hill. or if your vehicle is pulling
a trailer, see "Towing a Trailer" in the Index.
2-33

Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if
ever have to, here are some things to know.
Idling the engine with the air system control
off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard.
l (See “Blizzard” in the Index.)
I-
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to.
If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive with a manual transfer case
shift lever and your transfer case is in NEUTRAL
(N),
your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your shift lever
is in
PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N). Always set your parking
brake. Follow the proper steps
to be sure your vehicle
won’t move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
2-35

Lockout Switch
Four-door vehicles have a lockout feature to prevent
passengers from operating power
windows. It is located
on the driver’s door. Press LOCK to activate this feature.
Press
NORM and the windows return to normal operation.
Swing-Out Windows (2-Door Only)
If your vehicle has rear
swing-out windows, unlatch
them
at their clasps and
push out
on the glass to
open them.
When you close the window, be sure the latch catches.
Horn
TO sound the horn, press the horn symbols on the
steering wheel pad.
2-37

Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
If you have the tilt steering
wheel,
you should adjust
the steering wheel before
you drive.
You can raise it to the highest level to give your legs
more
room when you enter and exit the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steerins wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel
to a
comfortable level. then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.
Do not ad-just the steering wheel while driving.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left. side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer
0 Windshield Wipers
0 Windshield Washer
2-38 -

Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can
maintain
a speed of about
25 mph (40 krn/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This
can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control
does not
work at speeds below about
25 rnph (40 km/h).
If you have an automatic transmission and you apply
your brakes, the cruise control will shut
off.
If you have a manual transmission and you apply your
brakes or push the clutch pedal, the cruise control
will
shut off.
A CAUi ION:
I
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at
a steady speed. So,
don‘t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds\
of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips
on driving.
4-2
4-3 4-6
4-6 4-9
4-11
4-12 4-13
4-14
4-28 4-29
4-32 4-3 3 Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving Control
of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving Guidelines
Driving at Night
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving Recreational Vehicle Towing
(Four-wheel Drive with the
Manual Shift Transfer Case Only)
Recreational Vehicle Towing (Except
Four-wheel Drive with the Manual Shift
Transfer Case)
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
4-34
4-35
4-35
4-37 4-4
1
4-42
4-42 4-45
4-1

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster
than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and
road conditions. I
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.
You‘re driving safely. Suddenly
an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam
on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at the
rear wheels. You
can steer
around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake. your colnputer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
4-8

Suppose you're steering througl1 a shxp CLII-V~. Tllen you
suddenly accelemtc.
Both control systems -- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration cim ciemand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
What sho~~ld you do
if this ever happens'! Ease LIP on the
accelerator pedal. steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near CLI~V~S warn that ~OLI shoulcl
adjust your speed. Of co~~rse. the posted speeds are
based
on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you'll want to
go slower.
If you need to reduce yo111- speed as you approach a
curve, do it before ~OLI enter the curve7 while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed
so you can "drive" through the
curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate
until you are out of the curve. and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
4-10

An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If yo^^ are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions. you can
turn
it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand.
But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just
as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that
SLICII emergency situations are always
possible is
a good rwson to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
I OFF- ROAD RECOVERY / ,+
-/// edge of paved surface
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pwement, recovery should
be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then,
if there is nothing in the way, steer so
that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. YOLI
can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turn until the
right front
tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your
steering wheel
to go straight down the roadway.
4-11

If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle
to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for
a
second skid if il occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water. snow, ice,
gravel or other material is
on the road. For safety. you'll
want to slow down
and adjust your driving to these
conditions.
It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer
and
vehicle control more lilnited.
While driving
on a surface with reduced traction. try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or
braking (inclucling engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear).
Any sudden changes could cause the tircs lo slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until yo11r
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water. ice or packed snow on
the road to make a "mirrored surface" -- and slow down
when you
have any doubt.
Remember:
Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving Guidelines
This multipurpose passenger vehicle is defined as a utility
vehicle in Consumer Information Regulations issued by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
of the United States Department of
Transportation.
Utility vehicles have higher ground
clearance
and a narrower track to make them capable of
performing
in a wide variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give them
a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of the higher
ground clearance is
a better view of the road allowing yo11
to anticipate problems. They are not designed for
cornering at the same speeds
as conventional
two-wheel-drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are dcsigned
to perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions.
If at all possible. avoid shalp turns or abrupt
manewers. As with other vehicles
of this type. failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result
in loss of control
or vehicle rollover.
4-14