turn signal GMC SONOMA 2000 User Guide

4-17 Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds
of terrain. You need to be familiar with the terrain and its
many different features. Here are some things to consider.
Surface 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 traction and longer braking distances.
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 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 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 ªDrunken Drivingº in the Index.

4-28
Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRain 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.
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
the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate
from the inserts.

4-31
City DrivingOne 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.

Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You'll save time and energy. (See the
next part, ªFreeway Driving.º)

Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light.

4-32
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
ªblindº spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
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.

4-52 Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy
-duty turn signal flasher.
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing your
signal when they are not. It's important to check occasionally
to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
If you have an automatic transmission, you should use
THIRD (3) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle in THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your
transmission. Or, if you have a manual transmission, it's
better not to use FIFTH (5). Just drive in FOURTH (4)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear).

5-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
Press the button on top of
the steering column all the
way down to make your
front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, press the button until the first
click and release.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work. The flashers will stop if you step on
the brake.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.

6-39
4. Turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise to
remove it.
5. Put the new bulb assembly into the headlamp
assembly and turn it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug in the electrical connector.
7. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle. Install the two retaining clips.
One-Piece Front Turn Signal
Lamp Assembly
1. Remove the headlamp assembly as shown under
ªOne
-Piece Composite Headlamp Systemº earlier in
this section.
2. Twist the bulb socket
counterclockwise to
remove it from the
headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the bulb straight out to remove it from
the socket.
4. Push the new bulb into the socket until it snaps
into place.
5. Put the bulb socket into the lamp assembly and twist
it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Put the headlamp assembly back into the vehicle.
Install the two retaining clips.

6-40 Two-Piece Front Turn Signal
Lamp Assembly
1. Remove the headlamp assembly as shown under
ªTwo
-Piece Composite Headlamp Systemº earlier in
this section.
2. Locate the locking tabs
on the assembly.
Squeeze the tabs
together and push that
end of the assembly out
while holding the tabs.
The assembly will
swing out.
3. Unplug the electrical connector.
4. Turn the harness bulb socket counterclockwise to
remove it. Pull the bulb straight out to remove it
from the socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket until it snaps
into place.
6. Put the socket into the lamp assembly and turn it
clockwise until it is tight.
7. To replace the assembly, snap the outboard end of
the lamp assembly back into the vehicle. Then swing
the assembly in and snap it into place.
8. Replace the headlamp assembly. Install the two
retaining clips.

6-64
Fuse/Circuit
Breaker Usage
3 Cruise Control, Body Controls
TBC, Cruise Module,
Cruise Switch
4 Gages, Body Controls TBC,
Instrument Panel Cluster,
B+ Power
5 Parking Lamps, Power Window
Switch, TBC, Ashtray Lamp
6 Not Used
7 Headlamp Switch, Body Controls
TBC, Headlamp Relay
8 Courtesy Lamps, Inadvertent
Power Relay
9 HVAC Control Head
10 Turn Signal
11 Instrument Panel Cluster,
Engine Controls
12 Interior IlluminationFuse/Circuit
Breaker Usage
13 Auxiliary Power
14 Power Locks
15 4WD Switch, Engine Control
(VCM, PCM, Transmission)
16 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
17 Front Wiper
18 Not Used
19 Radio Battery
20 Not Used
21 HVAC I, HVAC Control Head,
HVAC Devices
22 Anti
-Lock Brakes
23 Rear Wiper
24 Radio, Ignition

6-65 Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The fuse block is under the hood on the driver's side of
the engine compartment.
Remove the cover by turning the fastener
counterclockwise. To reinstall the fuse panel cover, push
in and turn the fastener clockwise.Name Usage
TRL TRN Not Used
TRR TRN Not Used
TRL B/U Not Used
VEH B/U Vehicle Back
-Up Lamps
RT TURN Right Turn Signal Front
LT TURN Left Turn Signal Front
HDLP W/W Not Used
(Continued)