User manual CHEVROLET BLAZER 2004

[. . . ] 2004 Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual Seats and Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Instrument Panel Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37 M Driving Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] 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. · you approach things faster and you have less time to scan the terrain for obstacles. · you have less time to react. · you have more vehicle bounce when you drive over obstacles. · you will need more distance for braking, especially since you are on an unpaved surface. 4-18 Surface Obstacles: Unseen or hidden obstacles can be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut or bump can startle you if you are 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: Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it is 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. You have to use your own good judgment about what is safe and what is not. 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. · Does the travel take you uphill or downhill? (There is 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 are 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 not control the vehicle as well or at all. 4-19 Driving on Off-Road Hills Off-road driving often takes you up, down or across a hill. Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and an understanding of what your vehicle can and can not do. There are some hills that simply can not be driven, no matter how well built the vehicle. 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. {CAUTION: Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle. If you have any doubt about the steepness, do not drive the 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 will not have to make turning maneuvers? · Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)? · What is beyond the hill?It is the smart way to find out. Approaching a Hill When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it is one of those hills that is just too steep to climb, descend or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. · Is the hill simply too rough? [. . . ] 6-31 14 Steering Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storage Areas Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swing-Out Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10 2-57 2-59 2-56 2-49 2-57 2-49 2-60 2-59 5-88 4-44 2-16 2-53 2-62 2-13 T Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24 2-14 2-16 5-55 2-52 Testing the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ]