| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE Your Driving, the Road, and Drunken Driving WARNING Death and injury associated with drinking Your Vehicle and driving is a national tragedy. It is the Defensive driving really means “Be number one contributor to the highway Defensive Driving ready for anything.” On city streets, death toll, claiming thousands of victims The best advice anyone can give about rural roads, or expressways, it means every year. driving is: Drive defensively. “Always expect the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians or other Alcohol affects four things that anyone Please start with a very important safety drivers are going to be careless and needs to drive a vehicle: device in your vehicle: Buckle up. Refer to make mistakes. Anticipate what they “Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone” in • Judgment might do and be ready. Rear-end col- “Safety Belts” in the “Seats and Restraint • Muscular Coordination lisions are about the most prevent- Systems” section. • Vision able of accidents. Yet they are • Attentiveness common. Allow enough following distance. Defensive driving requires Police records show that almost half of all that a driver concentrate on the driv- motor vehicle-related deaths involve alco- ing task. Anything that distracts from hol. In most cases, these deaths are the the driving task makes proper defen- result of someone who was drinking and sive driving more difficult and can driving. In recent years, more than 16000 even cause a collision, with resulting annual motor vehicle-related deaths have injury. Ask a passenger to help do been associated with the use of alcohol, these things, or pull off the road in a with more than 300000 people injured. safe place to do them. These simple defensive driving techniques could Many adults - by some estimates, nearly save your life. half the adult population - choose never to drink alcohol, so they never drive after drinking. For persons under 21, it is against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psycho- logical, and developmental reasons for these laws. The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much” if someone plans to drive? It is a lot less than 4-1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE many might think. Although it depends on in both France and Germany. The BAC each person and situation, here is some limit for all commercial drivers in the United general information on the problem. States is 0.04 percent. The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after someone who is drinking depends upon three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, four things: as we have seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the • The amount of alcohol consumed person drinks them. • The drinker’s body weight • The amount of food that is consumed But the ability to drive is affected well before and during drinking below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research • The length of time it has taken the shows that the driving skills of many peo- drinker to consume the alcohol ple are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are According to the American Medical Associ- 1527211 worse at night. All drivers are impaired at ation, a 180 lbs (82 kg) person who drinks It is the amount of alcohol that counts. For BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics three 12 ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in show that the chance of being in a collision example, if the same person drank three an hour will end up with a BAC of about double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of increases sharply for drivers who have a 0.06 percent. The person would reach the BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with liquor each) within an hour, the person’s same BAC by drinking three 4 ounce (120 BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A per- a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if his or her chance of having a collision. At a son who consumes food just before or dur- each had 1-1/2 ounces (45 ml) of liquors ing drinking will have a somewhat lower BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of like whiskey, gin, or vodka. this driver having a collision is 12 times BAC level. greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the There is a gender difference, too. Women chance is 25 times greater! generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men. Since alcohol is The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of carried in body water, this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I will be careful” is not the level than a man of her same body weight will when each has the same number of right answer. What if there is an emer- gency, a need to take sudden action, as drinks. when a child darts into the street? A per- The law in most U.S. states, and through- son with even a moderate BAC might not out Canada, sets the legal limit at 0.08 per- be able to react quickly enough to avoid cent. In some other countries, the limit is the collision. even lower. For example, it is 0.05 percent 4-2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE There is something else about drinking can provide. That means you can lose con- whether it is pavement or gravel; the con- and driving that many people do not know. trol of your vehicle. dition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or Medical research shows that alcohol in a icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; Adding non-Suzuki accessories can affect person’s system can make crash injuries the weight of the vehicle; and the amount your vehicle’s performance. Refer to worse, especially injuries to the brain, spi- of brake force applied. “Accessories and Modifications” in “Ser- nal cord, or heart. This means that when vice” in the “Service and Appearance Avoid needless heavy braking. Some peo- anyone who has been drinking - driver or Care” section. ple drive in spurts - heavy acceleration fol- passenger - is in a crash, that person’s lowed by heavy braking - rather than chance of being killed or permanently dis- Braking keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. abled is higher than if the person had not Refer to “Brake System Warning Light” in The brakes may not have time to cool been drinking. “Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in between hard stops. The brakes will wear the “Instrument Panel” section. out much faster if you do a lot of heavy WARNING braking. If you keep pace with the traffic Braking action involves perception time Drinking and then driving is very dan- and allow realistic following distances, you and reaction time. gerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. attentiveness, and judgment can be First, you have to decide to push on the That means better braking and longer affected by even a small amount of brake pedal. That is perception time. Then brake life. alcohol. You can have a serious - or you have to bring up your foot and do it. If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while even fatal - collision if you drive after That is reaction time. you are driving, brake normally but do not drinking. Please do not drink and Average reaction time is about three- pump the brakes. If you do, the pedal may drive or ride with a driver who has fourths of a second. But that is only an get harder to push down. If the engine been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or average. It might be less with one driver stops, you will still have some power brake if you are with a group, designate a and as long as two or three seconds or assist. But you will use it when you brake. driver who will not drink. more with another. Age, physical condition, Once the power assist is used up, it may alertness, coordination, and eyesight all take longer to stop and the brake pedal will Control of a Vehicle play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and frus- be harder to push. You have three systems that make your tration. But even in three-fourths of a sec- vehicle go where you want it to go. They Adding non-Suzuki accessories can affect ond, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/ are the brakes, the steering, and the accel- your vehicle’s performance. Refer to h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a erator. All three systems have to do their “Accessories and Modifications” in “Ser- lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping work at the places where the tires meet the vice” in the “Service and Appearance enough space between your vehicle and road. Care” section. others is important. Sometimes, as when you are driving on And, of course, actual stopping distances snow or ice, it is easy to ask more of those vary greatly with the surface of the road, control systems than the tires and road 4-3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake Sys- tem (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent a braking skid. When you start the engine and begin to drive away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you may even notice that the brake pedal moves a little. This is normal. 1527213 1527212 Let us say the road is wet and you are driv- As you brake, the computer keeps receiv- ing safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out ing updates on wheel speed and controls in front of you. You slam on the brakes and braking pressure accordingly. continue braking. Here is what happens 807057 Remember: ABS does not change the time with ABS: you need to get your foot up to the brake If there is a problem with ABS, this warning light will stay on. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake A computer senses that wheels are slow- pedal or always decrease stopping dis- ing down. If one of the wheels is about to tance. If you get too close to the vehicle in System Warning Light” in “Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in the “Instrument stop rolling, the computer will separately front of you, you will not have time to apply work the brakes at each wheel. the brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or Panel” section. stops. Always leave enough room up ABS can change the brake pressure faster ahead to stop, even though you have ABS. than any driver could. The computer is pro- grammed to make the most of available tire Using ABS and road conditions. This can help you Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the steer around the obstacle while braking brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock hard. work for you. You may hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal. 4-4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE Braking in Emergencies the system on. But you can turn the trac- “Accessories and Modifications” in “Ser- With ABS, you can steer and brake at the tion control system off if you ever need to. vice” in the “Service and Appearance same time. In many emergencies, steering You should turn the system off if your vehi- Care” section for more information. can help you more than even the very best cle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or braking. snow and rocking the vehicle is required. Electronic Stability Control Refer to “Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) sys- Traction Control System (TCS) Out” in this section. tem is an advanced computer controlled Your vehicle has a traction control system system that helps the driver maintain direc- that limits wheel spin. This is especially tional control of the vehicle in difficult driv- useful in slippery road conditions. The sys- ing conditions. This is accomplished by tem operates only if it senses that one or selectively applying any one of the vehi- both of the front wheels are spinning or cle’s brakes and reducing engine power. beginning to lose traction. When this hap- The ESC system comes on automatically pens, the system reduces engine power to whenever you start your vehicle. limit wheel spin. 78J001 The SERVICE STABILITY CTRL message The traction control system can be turned may be displayed in the DIC after first driv- off by pressing the traction control button, ing the vehicle and exceeding 30 mph 48 located on the floor console to the left of (km/h) for 30 seconds. The ESC system is the shift lever. off until the message has turned off. This could take up to 15 minutes. Refer to “DIC The traction control system can be acti- Warnings and Messages” in “Driver Infor- vated again by pressing the traction control mation Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument 1545635 button. Panel” section for more information. This light will come on when your traction If the system is limiting wheel spin when The SERVICE STABILITY CTRL message control system is limiting wheel spin. you press the button, the traction control will stay on if there is a problem with the off light will appear on the instrument panel You may feel or hear the system working, system. When this message is on, the sys- cluster. The system will not turn off until but this is normal. This light may also come tem is not operational. Adjust your driving there is no longer a current need to limit on after extended heavy braking indicating accordingly. ESC can be turned off using wheel spin. You can turn the system back the brakes have become too hot to limit the traction control button. To disable ESC, on at any time by pressing the button wheel spin. press and hold the traction control button again. If the light does not come on, you for five seconds. ESC can be activated The traction control system automatically may not have traction control and your again by pressing the traction control but- comes on whenever you start your vehicle. vehicle should be serviced by a dealer. ton. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery Adding non-SUZUKI accessories can road conditions, you should always leave affect your vehicle’s performance. Refer to 4-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System Experienced driver or beginner, each of us If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), is subject to the same laws of physics the AWD system operates automatically when driving on curves. The traction of the without any action required by the driver. If tires against the road surface makes it pos- the front drive wheels begin to slip, the rear sible for the vehicle to change its path wheels will automatically begin to drive the when you turn the front wheels. If there is vehicle as required. Torque is also applied no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle to the rear wheels during launches. There 1710823 going in the same direction. If you have may be a slight engagement noise during This light will come on along with the ALL ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you hard use but this is normal. WHEEL DRIVE OFF message when the will understand this. rear drive system is overheating. This light The traction you can get in a curve will turn off when the rear drive system depends on the condition of your tires and cools down. If this light stays on, it must be the road surface, the angle at which the reset. To reset the light, turn the ignition off curve is banked, and your speed. While and then back again. If the light stays on, you are in a curve, speed is the one factor see your dealer for service. you can control. 1710820 Refer to “All Wheel Drive Off” under “DIC Suppose you are steering through a sharp Warnings and Messages” in “Driver Infor- This light and the SERVICE ALL WHEEL curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both mation Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument DRIVE message in the Driver Information control systems - steering and accelera- Panel” section for more information. Center (DIC) will come on and stay on to tion - have to do their work where the tires indicate that there may be a problem with meet the road. Adding the sudden acceler- Steering the drive system and service is required. ation can demand too much of those Refer to “Service All-Wheel Drive Light” in Power Steering places. You can lose control. Refer to “Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in If you lose power steering assist because “Traction Control System (TCS)” and the “Instrument Panel” section and “DIC the engine stops or the power steering sys- “Electronic Stability Control” in this section. Warnings and Messages” in “Driver Infor- tem is not functioning, you can steer, but it What should you do if this ever happens? mation Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument will take more effort. Ease up on the brake or accelerator pedal, Panel” section for more information. steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, Steering Tips and slow down. It is important to take curves at a reason- Speed limit signs near curves warn that able speed. you should adjust your speed. Of course, A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents the posted speeds are based on good mentioned on the news happen on curves. weather and road conditions. Under less Here is why: 4-6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE favorable conditions you will want to go from a possible collision. Then steer Off-Road Recovery slower. around the problem, to the left or right You may find that your vehicle’s right depending on the space available. wheels have dropped off the edge of a If you need to reduce your speed as you road onto the shoulder while you are driv- approach a curve, do it before you enter ing. the curve, 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. Adding non-Suzuki accessories can affect your vehicle’s performance. Refer to “Accessories and Modifications” in “Ser- vice” in the “Service and Appearance Care” section. 811539 Steering in Emergencies An emergency like this requires close There are times when steering can be 810696 attention and a quick decision. If you are more effective than braking. For example, holding the steering wheel at the recom- If the level of the shoulder is only slightly you come over a hill and find a truck mended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can below the pavement, recovery should be stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly with- fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out out removing either hand. But you have to then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so from between parked cars and stops right act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly that your vehicle straddles the edge of the in front of you. You can avoid these prob- straighten the wheel once you have pavement. You can turn the steering wheel lems by braking - if you can stop in time. avoided the object. up to one-quarter turn until the right front But sometimes you cannot; there is not tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn room. That is the time for evasive action - The fact that such emergency situations your steering wheel to go straight down the steering around the problem. are always possible is a good reason to roadway. practice defensive driving at all times and Your vehicle can perform very well in wear safety belts properly. emergencies like these. First apply your Passing brakes. The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for Refer to “Braking” in this section. It is bet- just the right moment, accelerates, moves ter to remove as much speed as you can around the vehicle ahead, then goes back 4-7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE into the right lane again. A simple maneu- space if the vehicle ahead suddenly • Try not to pass more than one vehicle at ver? slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider distance. before passing the next vehicle. Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle • When it looks like a chance to pass is • Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dan- coming up, start to accelerate but stay in too rapidly. Even though the brake lamps gerous move, since the passing vehicle the right lane and do not get too close. are not flashing, it may be slowing down occupies the same lane as oncoming traf- Time your move so you will be increas- or starting to turn. fic for several seconds. A miscalculation, ing speed as the time comes to move • If you are being passed, make it easy for an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to into the other lane. If the way is clear to the following driver to get ahead of you. frustration or anger can suddenly put the pass, you will have a running start that Perhaps you can ease a little to the right. passing driver face to face with the worst of more than makes up for the distance you all traffic accidents - the head-on collision. would lose by dropping back. And if Loss of Control So here are some tips for passing: something happens to cause you to can- Let us review what driving experts say cel your pass, you need only slow down about what happens when the three con- • Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the and drop back again and wait for another trol systems - brakes, steering, and accel- sides, and to crossroads for situations opportunity. eration - do not have enough friction that might affect your passing patterns. If • If other vehicles are lined up to pass a where the tires meet the road to do what you have any doubt whatsoever about slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take the driver has asked. making a successful pass, wait for a bet- care that someone is not trying to pass ter time. In any emergency, do not give up. Keep you as you pull out to pass the slow vehi- • Watch for traffic signs, pavement mark- trying to steer and constantly seek an cle. Remember to glance over your ings, and lines. If you can see a sign up escape route or area of less danger. shoulder and check the blind spot. ahead that might indicate a turn or an • Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance intersection, delay your pass. A broken Skidding over your shoulder, and start your left center line usually indicates it is all right In a skid, a driver can lose control of the lane change signal before moving out of to pass, providing the road ahead is vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids the right lane to pass. When you are far clear. Never cross a solid line on your by taking reasonable care suited to exist- enough ahead of the passed vehicle to side of the lane or a double solid line, ing conditions, and by not overdriving see its front in your vehicle’s inside mir- even if the road seems empty of those conditions. But skids are always pos- ror, activate the right lane change signal approaching traffic. sible. and move back into the right lane. • Do not get too close to the vehicle you Remember that your vehicle’s passen- The three types of skids correspond to want to pass while you are awaiting an ger side outside mirror is convex. The your vehicle’s three control systems. In the opportunity. For one thing, following too vehicle you just passed may seem to be braking skid, your wheels are not rolling. In closely reduces your area of vision, farther away from you than it really is. the steering or cornering skid, too much especially if you are following a larger speed or steering in a curve causes tires to vehicle. Also, you will not have adequate slip and lose cornering force. And in the 4-8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE acceleration skid, too much throttle causes - such as enough water, ice, or packed • Slow down, especially on higher speed the driving wheels to spin. snow on the road to make a mirrored sur- roads. Your vehicle’s headlamps can face - and slow down when you have any light up only much road ahead. A cornering skid is best handled by easing doubt. • In remote areas, watch for animals. your foot off the accelerator pedal. • If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe If you have the Anti-Lock Brake System Remember: Any traction control system place and rest. (ABS), remember: It helps avoid only the helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If braking skid. If you do not have ABS, then your traction system is off, then an acceler- No one can see as well at night as in the in a braking skid, where the wheels are no ation skid is also best handled by easing daytime. But as we get older these differ- longer rolling, release enough pressure on your foot off the accelerator pedal. Refer to ences increase. A 50-year-old driver may the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. “Traction Control System (TCS)” and require at least twice much light to see the This restores steering control. Push the “Electronic Stability Control” in this section. same thing at night as a 20-year-old. brake pedal down steadily when you have If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels What you do in the daytime can also affect foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly are rolling, you will have steering control. your night vision. For example, if you steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If spend the day in bright sunshine you are Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System you start steering quickly enough, your wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid. vehicle may straighten out. Always be have less trouble adjusting to night. But if ready for a second skid if it occurs. you are driving, do not wear sunglasses at Driving at Night night. They may cut down on glare from Of course, traction is reduced when water, Night driving is more dangerous than day headlamps, but they also make a lot of snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on driving. One reason is that some drivers things invisible. the road. For safety, you will want to slow are likely to be impaired - by alcohol or down and adjust your driving to these con- drugs, with night vision problems, or by You can be temporarily blinded by ditions. It is important to slow down on slip- fatigue. approaching headlamps. It can take a sec- pery surfaces because stopping distance ond or two, or even several seconds, for Here are some tips on night driving. will be longer and vehicle control more lim- your eyes to re-adjust to the dark. When ited. • Drive defensively. you are faced with severe glare, as from a • Do not drink and drive. driver who does not lower the high beams, While driving on a surface with reduced • Adjust the inside rearview mirror to or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps, traction, try your best to avoid sudden reduce glare from headlamps behind slow down a little. Avoid staring directly steering, acceleration, or braking, including you. into the approaching headlamps. reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a • Since you cannot see as well, you may lower gear. Any sudden changes could Keep the windshield and all the glass on need to slow down and keep more space cause the tires to slide. You may not realize your vehicle clean - inside and out. Glare between you and other vehicles. the surface is slippery until your vehicle is at night is made much worse by dirt on the skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues glass. Even the inside of the glass can 4-9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass roads. And, if your tires do not have much washes can cause problems, too. The makes lights dazzle and flash more than tread left, you will get even less traction. It water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid clean glass would, making the pupils of is always wise to go slower and be cau- puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow your eyes contract repeatedly. tious if rain starts to fall while you are driv- down before you hit them. ing. The surface may get wet suddenly Remember that the headlamps light up far when your reflexes are tuned for driving on Hydroplaning less of a roadway when you are in a turn or dry pavement. Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it water can build up under your tires that is easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. they can actually ride on the water. This Just as the headlamps should be checked Even if your windshield wiper blades are in can happen if the road is wet enough and regularly for proper aim, so should your good shape, a heavy rain can make it you are going fast enough. When your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers harder to see road signs and traffic signals, vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no suffer from night blindness - the inability to pavement markings, the edge of the road, contact with the road. see in dim light - and are not even aware and even people walking. of it. Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it It is wise to keep your windshield wiper and can if your tires do not have much tread or washer system in good shape and keep Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads if the pressure in one or more is low. It can your windshield washer fluid reservoir filled happen if a lot of water is standing on the with washer fluid. Replace your windshield road. If you can see reflections from trees, wiper inserts when they show signs of telephone poles, or other vehicles, and streaking or missing areas on the wind- raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there shield, or when strips of rubber start to could be hydroplaning. separate from the inserts. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher WARNING speeds. There just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is Wet brakes can cause accidents. to slow down when it is raining. They may not work as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply 1527470 the brake pedal lightly until the brakes work normally. Rain and wet roads can mean driving trou- ble. On a wet road, you cannot stop, accel- erate, or turn as well because your tire-to- Driving too fast through large water pud- road traction is not as good as on dry dles or even going through some car 4-10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE Driving Through Deep Standing Water • Besides slowing down, allow some extra trip into an unknown part of the city just following distance. And be especially as you would for a cross-country trip. CAUTION careful when you pass another vehicle. • Try to use the freeways that rim and Allow yourself more clear room ahead, crisscross most large cities. You will If you drive too quickly through deep and be prepared to have your view save time and energy. Refer to “Freeway puddles or standing water, water can restricted by road spray. Driving” in this section. come in through the engine’s air • Have good tires with proper tread depth. • Treat a green light as a warning signal. A intake and badly damage the engine. Refer to “Tires” in the “Service and traffic light is there because the corner is Never drive through water that is Appearance Care” section. busy enough to need it. When a light slightly lower than the underbody of turns green, and just before you start to your vehicle. If you cannot avoid City Driving move, check both ways for vehicles that deep puddles or standing water, have not cleared the intersection or may drive through them very slowly. be running the red light. Driving Through Flowing Water Freeway Driving WARNING Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces. If you try to drive through flowing water, as you might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can be carried away. As little as six inches of flowing water can carry away a smaller vehicle. If this hap- pens, you and other vehicle occu- 1527452 pants could drown. Do not ignore police warning signs, and otherwise One of the biggest problems with city be very cautious about trying to drive streets is the amount of traffic on them. through flowing water. You will want to watch out for what the 808373 other drivers are doing and pay attention to Some Other Rainy Weather Tips traffic signals. Mile for mile, freeways - also called thru- • Turn on your low-beam headlamps - not ways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, Here are ways to increase your safety in just your parking lamps - to help make or superhighways - are the safest of all city driving: you more visible to others. roads. But they have their own special • Know the best way to get to where you rules. are going. Get a city map and plan your 4-11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE The most important advice on freeway When you want to leave the freeway, move Here are some things you can check driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to to the proper lane well in advance. If you before a trip: the right. Drive at the same speed most of miss your exit, do not, under any circum- • Windshield Washer Fluid: the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or stances, stop and back up. Drive on to the Is the reservoir full? Are all windows too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic next exit. clean inside and outside? flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes • Wiper Blades: passing lane. quite sharply. The exit speed is usually Are they in good shape? At the entrance, there is usually a ramp posted. • Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: that leads to the freeway. If you have a Have you checked all levels? Reduce your speed according to your clear view of the freeway as you drive • Lamps: speedometer, not to your sense of motion. along the entrance ramp, you should begin Are they all working? Are the lenses After driving for any distance at higher to check traffic. Try to determine where you clean? speeds, you may tend to think you are expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge • Tires: going slower than you actually are. into the gap at close to the prevailing They are vitally important to a safe, trou- speed. Switch on your turn signal, check ble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for Before Leaving on a Long Trip your mirrors, and glance over your shoul- long-distance driving? Are the tires all Make sure you are ready. Try to be well der as often as necessary. Try to blend inflated to the recommended pressure? rested. If you must start when you are not smoothly with the traffic flow. • Weather Forecasts: fresh - such as after a day’s work - do not What is the weather outlook along your Once you are on the freeway, adjust your plan to make too many miles that first part route? Should you delay your trip a short speed to the posted limit or to the prevail- of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing time to avoid a major storm system? ing rate if it is slower. Stay in the right lane and shoes you can easily drive in. • Maps: unless you want to pass. Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you Do you have up-to-date maps? Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. keep it serviced and maintained, it is ready Then use your turn signal. to go. If it needs service, have it done Highway Hypnosis before starting out. Of course, you will find Is there actually such a condition as high- Just before you leave the lane, glance experienced and able service experts in way hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling quickly over your shoulder to make sure dealerships all across North America. asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hyp- there is not another vehicle in your blind They will be ready and willing to help if you nosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. spot. need it. There is something about an easy stretch Once you are moving on the freeway, of road with the same scenery, along with make certain you allow a reasonable fol- the hum of the tires on the road, the drone lowing distance. Expect to move slightly of the engine, and the rush of the wind slower at night. against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it 4-12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE does, your vehicle can leave the road in Hill and Mountain Roads less than a second, and you could crash WARNING and be injured. If you do not shift down, the brakes What can you do about highway hypnosis? could get so hot that they would not First, be aware that it can happen. work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a Then here are some tips: hill. You could crash. Shift down to • Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, let the engine assist the brakes on a with a comfortably cool interior. steep downhill slope. • Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your WARNING vehicle’s mirrors and instruments fre- quently. Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or • If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a with the ignition off is dangerous. rest, service, or parking area and take a 806088 The brakes will have to do all the nap, get some exercise, or both. For work of slowing down. They could safety, treat drowsiness on the highway Driving on steep hills or mountains is differ- get so hot that they would not work as an emergency. ent from driving in flat or rolling terrain. well. You would then have poor brak- If you drive regularly in steep country, or if ing or even none going down a hill. you are planning to visit there, here are You could crash. Always have the some tips that can make your trips safer engine running and your vehicle in and more enjoyable. gear when you go downhill. • Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check • Know how to go down hills. The most all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, important thing to know is this: let your cooling system, and transaxle. These engine do some of the slowing down. parts can work hard on mountain roads. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill. • Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and tran- saxle, and you can climb the hill better. • Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Do not swing wide or cut across the center 4-13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE of the road. Drive at speeds that let you Also refer to “Tires” in the “Service and stay in your own lane. Appearance Care” section. • As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. Include an ice scraper, a small brush or There could be something in your lane, broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, like a stalled car or an accident. a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small • You may see highway signs on moun- shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a cou- tains that warn of special problems. ple of reflective warning triangles. And, if Examples are long grades, passing or you will be driving under severe conditions, no-passing zones, a falling rocks area, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old or winding roads. Be alert to these and carpet, or a couple of burlap bags to help take appropriate action. provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle. Winter Driving Driving on Snow or Ice 808402 Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the road probably have good What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. traction. Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more However, if there is snow or ice between trouble because it may offer the least trac- the tires and the road, you can have a very tion of all. You can get wet ice when it is slippery situation. You will have a lot less about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing traction, or grip, and will need to be very rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on careful. wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there. Whatever the condition - smooth ice, packed, blowing, or loose snow - drive 808372 with caution. Here are some tips for winter driving: Traction control improves your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road. • Have your vehicle in good shape for win- But you can turn the traction system off if ter. you ever need to. You should turn the trac- • You may want to put winter emergency tion system off if your vehicle ever gets supplies in your vehicle. stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. Refer to “If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow” in this section. Even though your 4-14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE vehicle has a traction system, you will want If You Are Caught in a Blizzard You can run the engine to keep warm, but to slow down and adjust your driving to the If you are stopped by heavy snow, you be careful. road conditions. Under certain conditions, could be in a serious situation. You should you may want to turn the traction system probably stay with your vehicle unless you WARNING off, such as when driving through deep know for sure that you are near help and Snow can trap exhaust gases under snow and loose gravel, to help maintain you can hike through the snow. Here are your vehicle. This can cause deadly vehicle motion at lower speeds. Refer to some things to do to summon help and CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get “Traction Control System (TCS)” and keep yourself and your passengers safe: inside. CO could overcome you and “Electronic Stability Control” in this section. • Turn on your hazard flashers. kill you. You cannot see it or smell it, The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) • Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert so you might not know it is in your improves your vehicle’s stability when you police that you have been stopped by the vehicle. Clear away snow from make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even snow. around the base of your vehicle, though you have ABS, you will want to • Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket especially any that is blocking the begin stopping sooner than you would on around you. If you do not have blankets exhaust pipe. And check around dry pavement. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake or extra clothing, make body insulators again from time to time to be sure System (ABS)” in this section. from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, snow does not collect there. floor mats - anything you can wrap Open a window just a little on the • Allow greater following distance on any around yourself or tuck under your cloth- side of the vehicle that is away from slippery road. ing to keep warm. the wind. This will help keep CO out. • Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that is covered Run your engine only as long as you must. with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice This saves fuel. When you run the engine, patches may appear in shaded areas make it go a little faster than just idle. That where the sun cannot reach, such as is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses around clumps of trees, behind build- less fuel for the heat that you get and it ings, or under bridges. Sometimes the keeps the battery charged. surface of a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads You will need a well-charged battery to are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead restart the vehicle, and possibly for signal- of you, brake before you are on it. Try not ing later on with your headlamps. Let the to brake while you are actually on the heater run for a while. ice, and avoid sudden steering maneu- vers. Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the 808411 heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfort- 4-15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE able from the cold. But do it as little as pos- Loading Your Vehicle sible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. CAUTION It is very important to know how much To help keep warm, you can get out of the weight your vehicle can carry. Two labels Spinning the wheels can destroy vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exer- on your vehicle show how much weight it parts of your vehicle as well as the cises every half hour or so until help may properly carry, the Tire and Loading tires. If you spin the wheels too fast comes. Information label and the Vehicle Certifica- while shifting the transaxle back and tion label. forth, you can destroy the transaxle. If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Refer to “Rocking Your Vehicle to Mud, Ice, or Snow WARNING Get It Out” in this section. In order to free your vehicle when it is Do not load your vehicle any heavier stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but For information about using tire chains on than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating you do not want to spin your wheels too your vehicle, refer to “Tire Chains” in (GVWR), or either the maximum front fast. The method known as rocking can “Tires” in the “Service and Appearance or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating help you get out when you are stuck, but Care” section. (GAWR). If you do, parts on your you must use caution. vehicle can break, and it can change Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out the way your vehicle handles. These WARNING First, turn the steering wheel left and right. could cause you to lose control and If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at That will clear the area around the front crash. Also, overloading can shorten high speed, they can explode, and wheels. If your vehicle has traction control, the life of your vehicle. you or others could be injured. And, you should turn the traction control system the transaxle or other parts of the off. Refer to “Traction Control System vehicle can overheat. That could (TCS)” in this section. Then shift back and cause an engine compartment fire or forth between REVERSE (R) and a for- other damage. When you are stuck, ward gear, spinning the wheels as little as spin the wheels as little as possible. possible. Release the accelerator pedal Do not spin the wheels above 35 mph while you shift, and press lightly on the (55 km/h) as shown on the speedom- accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in eter. gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out after a few tries, it may need to be towed out. If your vehicle does need to be towed out, refer to “Towing Your Vehicle” in this section. 4-16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE Tire and Loading Information Label tion and “Inflation - Tire Pressure” in “Tires” 6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, in the “Service and Appearance Care” sec- the load from your trailer will be trans- Label Example tion. ferred to your vehicle. Consult this man- ual to determine how this reduces the There is also important loading information available cargo and luggage load on the Certification/Tire label. It tells you capacity for your vehicle. the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) If your vehicle can tow a trailer, refer to for the front and rear axles. See “Certifica- “Towing a Trailer” in this section for impor- tion/Tire Label” later in this section. tant information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and trailering tips. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard. 1556694 2) Determine the combined weight of the A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Infor- driver and passengers that will be riding mation label is attached to the vehicle’s in your vehicle. center pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s 3) Subtract the combined weight of the door open, you will find the label attached driver and passengers from XXX kg or below the door lock post (striker). The tire XXX lbs. and loading information label lists the num- 4) The resulting figure equals the available ber of occupant seating positions (A), and amount of cargo and luggage load the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) capacity. For example, if the “XXX” in kilograms and pounds. The vehicle amount equals 1400 lbs and there will capacity weight includes the weight of all be five 150 lb passengers in your vehi- occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory- cle, the amount of available cargo and installed options. luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs). The Tire and Loading Information label 5) Determine the combined weight of lug- also lists the tire size of the original equip- gage and cargo being loaded on the ment tires (C) and the recommended cold vehicle. That weight may not safely tire inflation pressures (D). For more infor- exceed the available cargo and luggage mation on tires and inflation, refer to “Tires” load capacity calculated in Step 4. in the “Service and Appearance Care” sec- 4-17 | |
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