
Cold Weather Operation
In cold weather (below 20”F, or -7°C)’ use 1-D or “Winterized” Number 2-D
fuel (a blend of 1-D and 2-D). Be sure you get the right fuel. In very cold
temperatures (when it stays below
0°F or -18”C), use Number 1-D.
If you’re driving in very cold temperatures and can’t get\
Number 1-D or a
“winterized” Number 2-D, you can use one gallon of kerosene for every two
gallons of diesel fuel. Once you add the kerosene, run your engine for
several minutes
so the fuels will mix. Add kerosene only when the
temperature falls below
0°F (-18°C)’ because the fuel economy of kerosene
isn’t as good as that of diesel fuel.
NOTICE I
Never use home heatina oil o
I
1
In cold weather, your fuel filter may become clogged, especiall\
y if you use
Number 2-D diesel fuel that hasn’t been “winterized.” To unclog it, just warm the
filter to between 32°F and
50°F (0°C to 10°C). You won’t need to replace it.
Water in Fuel
Sometimes, water can be pumped into your fuel tank along with \
your diesel
fuel. This can happen
if a service station doesn’t regularly inspect and clean
its fuel tanks, or
if it gets contaminated fuel from its suppliers.
If this happens, a WATER IN FUEL light will come on. If it does, the excess
water must be drained. Your dealer can
do this for you.
AT€
PBOlO
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the \
Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a General Motors dealership Service Department.
If you
do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
I Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can
nean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts,
itarting
a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
ransmission ftuid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid must be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F
to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check the transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (1 0°C). If
it's colder than
50°F (lO°C), drive the vehicle in D (3rd gear) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle
has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine
off and is used only
as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if outside
temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or more.
If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you
may have
to idle the engine longer. A hot check must follow when fluid is
added during a cold check.
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3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid
level must be in the
COLD area for a cold check or in the HOT area or
cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the dipstick back in all the
way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
How To Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission
fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the Index.
If the fluid level
is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level
up
to the COLD area for a cold check or the HOT area for a hot check. It
doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint. Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON@IIE, because fluids \
with that
label are especially made for your automatic transmission. Damag\
e caused by
fluid other than
DEXRON@IIE is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How To
Check”.
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all the
way; then flip the handle down
to lock the dipstick in place.
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Service & Appearance Care
Traction-A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B, and C. They represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A
tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight-ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering \
(turning) traction.
Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s
resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laborat\
ory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level ‘of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle \
Safety
Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla\
tion, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can caus\
e heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger car tire\
s. While the tires available as standard or optional equipment on \
General Motors
vehicles may vary with respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have been approved for use on \
General
Motors vehicles.
All passenger type (P Metric) tires must conform to Federal
safety requirements in addition to these grades.
Wheel AIignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully \
at the
factory to give you the longest tire
life and best overall performance.
In
most cases, you will not need to have your wheels aligned again.
However,
if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way \
or
the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be
rebalanced.
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Customer Assistance Information
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your dealer and GMC Truck.
Normally, any concerns with the sales transaction or the operat\
ion of your
vehicle will be resolved by your dealer’s Sales or Service \
Departments. Sometimes, however, despite the best intentions of all concerned\
,
misunderstandings can occur. If your concern has not been resolved
to your
satisfaction, the following steps should be taken:
STEP ONE -Discuss your concern with a member of dealership
management. Complaints can often be quickly resolved at that le\
vel. If the
matter has already been reviewed with the Sales, Sewice, or Pa\
rts Manager,
contact the owner of the dealership or the General Manager.
STEP TWO -If after contacting a member of Dealership Management, it
appears your concern cannot be resolved by the dealership witho\
ut further
help, contact the GMC Truck Consumer Relations Manager by calli\
ng 1-800-GMC-TRUCK
(1 -800-462-8782). In Canada, contact the GM of Canada
Customer Assistance Center in Oshawa by calling 1-800-263-3777 (\
English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French).
In Mexico, call (525) 254-3777. In Puerto Rico or
US. Virgin Islands, call
1-809-763-1315.
In all other overseas locations, contact GM International
Export Sales in Canada by calling 1-41 6-644-4112.
For prompt assistance, please have the following information ava\
ilable
to give
the Customer Assistance Representative:
Your name, address, telephone number
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available from the vehic\
le registration or title, or the plate attached
to the left top of the instrument
panel and visible through the windshield).
Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
Nature of concern
We encourage you
to call the toll-free number listed previously in order to
give your inquiry prompt attention. Information on offices outsi\
de the U. S.
which can assist you can also be found in the Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information booklet.
If you need to contact us in writing, please contact Consumer Relations by
writing: GMC Truck,
31 E. Judson Street 1607-07, Pontiac, Michigan
48342-2230.
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