1998 CHEVY BLAZER GETS NEW LOOK, ADDED SAFETY FEATURES

Chevy Blazer, the only compact sport utility to offer a Driver Control System and a choice of seven premium suspensions, steps further "upscale" in 1998 with a bold new look and a host of new safety, comfort and convenience features. The refinements are first noticeable on the outside, with new looks for Blazer. Composite halogen headlamps, new turn signals and optional foglamps (on all models except 2-Door 4x4 models) are relocated in a tight cluster above the front bumper. Combined with new grille and bumper treatments, the result is a bolder appearance with traditional Chevy styling. In addition, new power remote rearview mirrors with a defogging feature, standard on LT and optional on LS models, help clear mist, snow and ice. The sides and rear end of 1998 Blazer have a new look as well, with new bodyside moldings freshening up the side view. A new integral body-color rear-step bumper is standard on all models. The new bumper design also includes a trailer hitch and safety chain provisions and is capable of towing up to 3,500 lbs.

NEW FEATURES - Buy The Blazer Here

There are also new safety and security features for 1998. A front-passenger airbag is now standard on all models, providing extra protection for front-seat passengers in the event of a moderate to severe front-end collision. All models also feature fourwheel disc brakes for outstanding braking performance. Standard Daytime Running Lamps now feature Automatic Exterior Lamp Control, which senses reduced outside light, and automatically engages full exterior lighting. And, Blazer offers the standard security of Passlock® theft-deterrent system. On the inside, Blazer received a thorough makeover for 1998. The redesigned instrument panel features repositioned controls for easier driver access. And, new luxury touches include a "turn signal reminder" chime that engages if the signal is not turned off, and an electrochromic rearview mirror, standard on LT models, that automatically dims, reducing glare to the driver. New battery-rundown protection turns off any light left on after 20 minutes. There's even an electronic climate control system that adds the convenience of automated temperature control for LT models.

REDESIGNED INTERIOR - Buy The Blazer Here

Redesigned front high-back reclining bucket seats on all models feature new foam cushioning, fabric, lumbar support, a console with cup holders and passenger-side easy entry on 2-Door models. New, optional heated seats for Blazer LT with leather seating surfaces feature HI/LOW/OFF settings. To conserve energy, the passenger seat heating system has logic to not engage unless its safety belt is fastened. 4-Door Blazer base-level and LS models now feature new cloth, and a Premium Cloth is available on top-of-the-line LT models for the first time. Blazer is an integral member of the Chevrolet Family of Sport Utilities, the broadest selection of sport utility vehicles on the market. And, it offers an unprecedented level of security through its Driver Control System, premium chassis and suspension components that are tuned to provide a secure, confident driving feeling. There are also up to seven suspension packages (four on 2-Door models and three on 4-Door models) that can be individually tailored to meet drivers' needs.

OFF-ROAD FUN - Buy The Blazer Here

OK. The work week is finished, the lawn has been mowed, and there's nothing to watch on the tube. What to do? Maybe it,s time to kick up some dirt, and we've got just the thing. For serious mud-seekers, Blazer offers the 2-Door ZR2 Wide-Stance Sport Performance Package. This macho sport utility is equipped specifically for serious fun (yes, we know that's an oxymoron). Engineers started with a short l00.5" wheelbase, (a plus in the outback, especially over rocky terrain), equipped it with a wide-stance chassis featuring Bilstein gas shocks, and all terrain tires, which provide optimum ground clearance, then released it, bucking from the gate. Plus, drivers get heavy skid plates to protect the underbody, fender flares, and; all the punch Chevy drivers have come to expect from a powerful Vortec engine. Hey, what more does anyone need? This newcomer to the Blazer lineup doesn't fool around, except when it's asked to. Because, in the world of the ZR2, there is only one kind of fun, and it's dirty.

SAFETY - Buy The Blazer Here

With a long history of setting automotive safety milestones, GM is a world leader in automotive safety research, development and testing. The 1998 Blazer exemplifies that dedication, providing a comprehensive system of standard safety features, emphasizing crash avoidance and occupant protection.

Crash Avoidance Features

• Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) with new Automatic Exterior Lamp Control will engage automatically when the ignition is on to increase Blazer visibility to other drivers. DRL run at a lower intensity than regular headlamps. New Automatic Exterior Lamp Control switches automatically from DRL during daylight driving to regular headlamps (and the rest of exterior lighting) when the system senses light has diminished. It includes a time delay feature for tunnels and other temporary lighting changes.

• 4-wheel disc brakes, standard on all 1998 Blazer models in place of front disc/ rear drum system, provides efficient cooling.

• 4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS), standard on all Blazer models with automatic transmissions, automatically adjusts brake pressure to the front and rear wheels during hard-braking situations, minimizing wheel lockup and helping the driver to maintain steering control.

• Brake/transmission switch interlock, standard on all Blazers models equipped with an automatic transmission, requires drivers to depress the brake pedal to shift out of Park

PASSLOCK® - Buy The Blazer Here

Wouldn't it be nice if a vehicle kind of had it's own guardian angel, to keep it secure when no one's around? Well, Blazer owners get the next-best thing - the security of the Passlock® theft-deterrent system. With Passlock®, if unauthorized ignition occurs (that means someone is attempting to start your truck who doesn't have a permission slip), the vehicle will initially start, but immediately shut down and remain disabled for about ten minutes. This is accomplished by a sensor that is individually matched to the Blazer ignition module, before it leaves the factory, eliminating the need for a special resistor-coded ignition key. So, while Passlock® doesn't have wings like most guardian angels, we're pretty confident that it can fly in the face of crime.

Occupant Protection Features

• New right-front passenger air bags are designed to supplement safety belts, to help restrain the front-seat passenger in the event of a moderate to severe frontal impact.

• Driver air bag is designed to supplement the driver safety belt and help restrain the driver in the event of a moderate to severe frontal impact.

• Side-guard double-wall steel side-door beams help prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment during shallowangle side collisions.

• Child security rear-door locks, when engaged, prohibit the rear doors of 4-Door Blazer models from being opened from the inside.

• Safety belt child comfort guides, standard on every Blazer model, adjust the angle of rear shoulder safety belt crossover and make wearing safety belts more comfortable for children and small occupants riding in the backseat.

• A standard three-point safety belt system helps restrain outboard passengers, and minimizes injury by distributing forces during collisions.

• Front and rear crush zones are designed to deform in a controlled manner in the event of a collision, to help absorb impact energy and reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment.

• Energy-absorbing steering column and instrument panel are designed to help absorb collision impact, reducing injury to the driver's body.

• Laminated windshield safety glass and tempered side and rear safety glass helps prevent occupant injury and reduces the risk of ejection in a collision.

• Improvements made to the Remote Keyless Entry system, standard on LT models and optional on LS models, now feature a horn "chirp" when lock button is pressed twice (signals all doors are locked). When the unlock button is pressed, headlamps will flash. In addition, also featured is a panic button/vehicle locator which alternates lights flash and horn chirp to help a driver draw attention from up to 100 feet away. Remote Keyless Entry transmits a uniquely coded high frequency radio signal which activates the door and liftgate lock/unlock functions, and interior lights from up to 30 feet away.

• Passlock® theft-deterrent system, standard on all 1998 models, automatically disables the Blazer ignition system if unauthorized starting is attempted.

• Turn signal reminder chimes automatically if turn signal is left on for over 3/4 of a mile.

• Battery-Rundown Protection turns off any light left on after 20 minutes.

PRECISION - Buy The Blazer Here

Driver Control System Blazer features a Driver Control System, with harmonized features designed to provide a precise integration of suspension, steering and chassis components for enhanced driving control, in virtually any situation. These components include a rock-solid structure, with a heavy steel ladder-type frame, boxed to the rear axle for torsional rigidity, variable-ratio power steering with a tuned spool valve that provides tight control for highway road driving and easy steering in tight parking lot situations, urethane jounce bumpers are oversized to help absorb impact as the auxiliary rear springs engage. This also helps reduce the "mule-like" kickback some other truck suspensions deliver when they hit a bump unloaded and seven suspension packages (four on 2-Door models, three on 4-Door models) that can be tailored to meet any driving demand, from highway use to serious off-roading.

INTERIOR FEATURES - Buy The Blazer Here

The Blazer interior receives a new design for 1998, front trim on door panels to redesigned seating and instrument panel. Redesigned instrument panel positions all auxiliary controls (HVAC, sound system, etc.) 15 degrees toward driver for easier access. The instrument panel also features large, easy-to-read analog gauges including oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltmeter. A tachometer is included on LS and LT models. Also features backlit headlamp switch, grain treatment and individual ventilation duct shut-offs, automatic transmission shift, has been relocated to the steering column from the floor console for all Blazer models equipped with an automatic transmission. This provides convenient access and increased foot room for front-seat occupants, floor-mounted manual transmission shifter in 2-Door models is relocated closer to the driver for easier shifting, new electronic climate control, standard on LT models, automatically maintains a specific temperature setting for optimum occupant comfort, new electrochromic inside rearview mirror automatically dims when the reflection of rear approaching headlamps is detected, new floor console for Blazers with bucket seats and automatic transmission features two cup holders, spring-loaded coin holder, CD/cassette stowage, antirattle liners, armrest and carpeted sides. Console also features lift-out tray for convenient, dual level storage. New heated driver and front passenger seats are optional on Blazer LT models with leather seating surfaces only and feature Hi/Low/Off settings. In addition, the passenger seat heater will not operate unless passenger safety belt is buckled. New traveling inboard seat belt buckle contributes to comfort and convenience and improved belt positioning. Air conditioning, standard on all Blazer models, uses CFC-free refrigerant which does not contribute to ozone depletion, integrated rear-seat air ducts for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems maximize rear passenger comfort and standard intermittent wipers allow the driver to match wiper speed with weather conditions for optimum visibility.

AUDIO SYSTEM - Buy The Blazer Here

1998 uplevel cassette and compact disc player systems have a new look and feature speed-compensated volume which automatically adjusts the volume of the audio to the vehicle's speed compensating for road noise; as well as automatic tone control which sets equalizer levels with one-touch for talk and music programs. Other uplevel sound system features include:

• Electronically tuned receiver with automatic lock-on station signal

• Twelve FM and six AM station presets · Preset-scan

• Music Search advances to next/previous selection.

CHOICES FOR SOUND - Buy The Blazer Here

• Delco electronically tuned AM/FM stereo with seek-scan, digital clock and four premium speakers is standard on baselevel models.

• Electronically tuned AM/FM stereo with cassette player, seek-scan, digital clock, and four premium speakers is optional on base-level models

• Electronically tuned AM/FM stereo with cassette player with TheftLock® security, Search Repeat, seek-scan, graphic equalizer, digital clock, automatic tone control, speed-compensated volume and six premium speakers is standard on LS and LT models.

• Electronically tuned AM/FM stereo with compact disc player, TheftLock® security, speed-compensated volume, automatic tone control CD random select and CD in play/radio switching is optional on LS and LT models.

• Electronically tuned AM/FM stereo with compact disc player, remote floor console-mounted cassette player, TheftLock® security, speed-compensated volume, automatic tone control, CD random select and CD in play/radio switching is optional on LS and LT models (requires bucket seats and automatic transmission).

VORTEC - Buy The Blazer Here

You've heard the name "Vortec" before and might have wondered whether it's just a marketing moniker. The fact is, there is a definite criteria as to what makes an engine a Vortec engine. Here are the most important features of the podigree: · Designed for maximum airflow - Large, law restriction air filters, optimum tuned intake runners and fast intake ports all help increase engine "breathing" for more power · Optimized combustion Precise fuel metering due to sequential fuel injection and a combustion chamber designed to tumble and swirl the air fuel mixture for more efficient combustion. · Low maintenance - All Vortec engines use the proven Technology of platinum-tip spark plugs (up to 100,000 mile service interval), extended-life engine coolant (up to 5 year or 150,000-mile service interval) and a single accessory drive belt (100,000-mile service interval).

COLORS - Buy The Blazer Here

• Medium Gray (replaces Gray) (Blue interior deleted)

• Beige

• Graphite

EXTERIOR - Buy The Blazer Here

The Blazer sporty exterior was designed to please style-conscious buyers, and receives several exterior design enhancements for 1998, including new treatments for the front grille and rear bumpers in addition to new body-side moldings. All models receive new larger composite halogen headlamps and available foglamps raised above the bumper line, while three new paint colors complete the Blazer 1998 makeover.

Front end enhancements include:

• New, larger composite halogen headlamps replace smaller headlamps on previous models

• New signal lighting

• New, heated outside rearview mirrors clear snow and ice and are standard on LT models and available on LS models

• New optional foglamps are moved above the front bumper to align vertically with headlamps

• Blazer 4-Door models offer the choice of either a liftgate with integral liftglass or a tailgate/liftglass design for rear access

• Semi-flush mounted glass helps reduce exterior wind noise

• Triple-seals on doors help keep dust, moisture and wind noise outside

• All Blazer glass surfaces receive a SolarRay treatment which reduces the interior heat of the vehicle significantly over vehicles treated with regular tinted glass

• An optional electric sunroof with tilt-and-slide design that features a wind deflector, sunshade and express-open control

• Standard on 2-Door Blazer models, swing-out rear-quarter windows, which help increase ventilation to rear-seat passengers

• 2-Door models feature an optional swingaway exterior spare tire mount that provides uninhibited rear cargo-carrying capability

• A roof-mounted luggage rack, standard on LS and LT model which has adjustable cross bars that feature tool-free repositioning

• A corrosion-resistant exterior provides two-side-galvanized steel exterior body panels (excepting the roof) which virtually eliminates the corrosion that results from surface scratches and stone chips

Exterior Colors

• Light Pewter Metallic (replaces Quicksilver Metallic)

• Dark Copper Metallic (replaces Light Autumnwood Metallic)

• Indigo Blue Metallic (interim 1998 availability) replaces Light Stellar Blue Metallic

• Medium Beige Mystique Metallic · Emerald Green Metallic

• Onyx Black

• Summit White

• Apple Red

• Dark Cherry Red Metallic

BODY STRUCTURE - Buy The Blazer Here

Engineers designed the Blazer body structure with the goal to provide a solid, quiet ride, free from engine noise, road noise and vibration, which can be annoying to passengers. Blazer uses a ladder-type frame with boxed rails and steel crossmembers for chassis strength. The boxed front section adds structural support for the engine and front suspension. It also provides higher ground clearance than both Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, while providing a low center of gravity for responsive handling on pavement.

ENGINE - Buy The Blazer Here

Vortec 4300 V6 SFI Engine (L35)

The Vortec 4300 V6 SFI engine features the power of a V8 engine, while maintaining the fuel economy of a V6. This refined V6 has impressive credentials and features:

• 190 horsepower at 4400 rpm

• 250 lb.-ft. of torque at 2800 rpm

• Gear-driven balance shaft for smooth engine performance

• Tuned, two-piece intake manifold for excellent engine breathing, resulting in power

• Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) which provides precise fuel delivery to each cylinder for maximum efficiency

• A special cam profile which delivers plenty of low-speed torque for trailing, while extending and flattening the torque curve for impressive passing performance

• Roller lifters which reduce internal engine friction by incorporating small rollers at the lobe contact point. This also results in enhanced engine durability

• Steel camshaft, designed to withstand the higher contact stresses associated with roller lifters

• A cooling system, which features a controlled bypass thermostat that improves coolant flow balance, expedites

DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING - Buy The Blazer Here

The Blazer design and engineering process began with extensive customer-driven research into the needs and wants of current and potential sport utility owners. Chevrolet engineers incorporated many design aspects taken from these studies into the overall structural of Blazer. Blazer is manufactured at General Motors assembly plants in Linden, N.J. and Moraine, Ohio.

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