1993 GMC SIERRA warning

Your Driving and the Road
AM4020d
A DIAMOND-shaped sign is a warning of something ahead-for example, the
end
of a divided highway, a curve, steep hill, soft shoulder, or a narrow
bridge.
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A TRIANGLE pointed downward, indicates YIELD. It assigns the right-of-way
to traffic on certain approaches to an intersection.
A TRIANGULAR sign also is used on two lane roads to indicate a
NO
PASSING ZONE. This sign will be on the left side of the roadway.
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Pavement Markings
NO PASSING ZONE
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Pavement markings add to traffic signs and signals. They give information to
drivers without taking attention from the roadway. A solid yellow line on your
side
of the road or lane means “don’t cross.”
Your Own Signals
Drivers signal to others, too. It’s not only more polite, it’s safer to let other
drivers know what you are doing. And in some places the law requires driver
signals.
Turn and lane change signals: Always signal when you plan to turn or
change lanes.
If necessary, you can use hand signals out the window: Left arm \
straight out
for a left turn, down for
slow or about-to-stop, and up for a right turn.
Slowing down: If time allows, tap the brake pedal once or twice in advance
of slowing or stopping. This warns the driver behind you.
Disabled: Your four-way flashers signal that your vehicle is disabled or is a
hazard. See “Hazard Warning Flasher” in the Index.
Traffic Officer
The traffic police officer is also a source of important informaaon. The officer’s
signals govern, no matter what the traffic lights or other sig\
ns say.
The next part discusses some of the road conditions you may e\
ncounter.
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Your Driving and fhe Road
Brake System Warning Light
K2325
This light appears on your instrument cluster to warn you if your regular
braking’ system needs service. See “Brake System Warning L\
ight” in the
Index.
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
If you have a C 3500 HD Model, it has four-wheel disc brakes. Disc brake
pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched war\
ning sound
when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The so\
und m’ay
come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except \
when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
1 CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later your
hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced. \
5 brakes won’t work well. That could lead to an accident. When you I ~
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brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mea\
n something is
wrong with your brakes.
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may not realize the surface is slippery until your 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: the rear wheel anti-lock braking system (RWAL) helps\
avoid only
a rear braking skid. In a braking skid (where the front wheels are no longer
rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes to get the front wheels rolling
again. This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal dow\
n steadily
when you have to stop suddenly.
As long as the front wheels are rolling, you
will have steering control. Steer the way you want to go.
Off-Road Driving with Your FourcWheel
Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel drive. Also, see
“Anti-lock Brakes” in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive,
you shouldn’t drive off-road unless you’re on a level, so\
lid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some defi\
nite hazards.
The greatest
of these is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the great North American\
road system behind.
Traffic lanes aren’t marked. Curves aren’t banked. There a\
re no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill
or downhill. In short, you’ve gone right
back
to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s why it’s very important
that you read this guide. You’ll find many driving tips and suggestions. These
will help make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable. \
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For example, be sure to
have all necessary maintenance and service work done. Be sure \
you read all
the information about your four-wheel drive vehicle in this manual.
Is there
enough fuel?
Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up where
they should be? What are the local laws that apply to off-roa\
ding where you’ll be driving?
If you don’t know, you should check with law enforcement people\

in the area. Will you be on someone’s private land?
If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
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Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
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Know the best way to get to where you are going. Try not to drive
around trying to pick out a familiar street or landmark. 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 section, “Freeway Drivi\
ng.”)
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.
Obey all posted speed limits. But remember that they are for ideal road,
weather and visibility conditions. You may need to drive below the
posted limit in bad weather or when visibility is especially poor.
Pull to the right (with care) and stop clear of intersections when you see
or hear emergency vehicles.
Freeway Driving
AM461004
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
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close behind you, you can allow a little extra time and flash\
your brake lights (in addition to your turn signal) as extra warning that you are about to slow
down and exit.
The exit ramp can be curvea, somerlmes quite sharply. The exit\
speed is
usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer,\
not to
your sense of motion. After driving for any distance at higher\
speeds, you
may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are.\
For example,
40 rnph (65 km/h) might seem like only 20 mph (30 km/h). Obviously, this
could lead to serious trouble
on a ramp designed for 20 mph (30 kmlh)!
Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are made on freeways, there are\
still many
made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and regular highways is the s\
ame in some
ways. The trip has to be planned and the vehicle prepared, you drive at\

higher-than-city speeds, and there are longer turns behind the \
wheel. You’ll
enjoy your trip more
if you and your vehicle are in good shape. Here are
some tips for a successful long trip.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh-such as after a day’s work-don’t plan to make too many miles
that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and \
shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to go.
If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in \
your vehicle’s
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help \
if
you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure? inside and outside?
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Your Driving and the Road
Winter Driving
- AM480004
Here are some tips for winter driving.
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter. Be sure your engi\
ne coolant
mix is correct.
Snow tires can help in loose snow, but they may give you less traction
on ice than regular tires.
If you do not expect to be driving in deep
snow, but may have to travel over ice, you may not want to \
switch to
snow tires at all.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your vehicle.\

Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom,
a supply of windshield
washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a
red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And,
if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old
carpet or a couple
of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably\
have
good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you ca\
n
have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a
lot less traction or “grip” and will
need to be very careful.
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Pmb/ems on the Road
1 Section
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road .
Hazard Warning Flasher ........................................................................\
............... 5-2
Other Warning Devices ........................................................................\
................. 5-3
Jump Starting ........................................................................\
................................ 5-3
Towing Your Vehicle ........................................................................\
...................... 5-8
Engine Overheating ........................................................................\
....................... 5-9
If
If
a Tire Goes Flat ........................................................................\
...................... 5-17
Changing a Flat Tire
........................................................................\
............... 5-17
Jack Storage
........................................................................\
............................ 5-19
Spare Tire
........................................................................\
................................ 5-20
You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow ................................................... 5-33
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