1993 GMC SIERRA brakes

Your Driving and the Road
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down long or steep
downgrade.
If you don’t shift down, you might have to use your brakes so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to
45 mph (70
kmlh) or less to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
IT you have an automatic transmission, you should use D (or, as you need to,
a lower gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle i\
n
D when towing
a trailer will minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your transmission.
Or, if you have a manual transmission with fifth gear and you are towing a
trailer, it’s better not to use fifth gear. Just drive in fourth gear
(or, as you
need to, a lower gear).
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, \
on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can\
be injured
and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into P (Park) yet, or into gear
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
for a manual transmission.
3. When the wheel chocks are
in place, release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and \
then
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer case is in a
6. Release the regular brakes.
shift
to
P (Park), or R (Reverse) for a manual transmission.
drive gear-not in
N (Neutral).
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CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenl\
y.
You
or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move,
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer case is in N (Neutral),
your vehicle will be free to
roll, even if your shift lever is in P (Park).
So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear-not in N (Neutral).
If you are parking on a hill, or if you’re pulling a trailer, also see
“Parking On Hills” in the Index.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parklng on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer To wing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are esp\
ecially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake ad\
justment. Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help \
you find them
quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
mailer Wiring Harness
See “Trailer Wiring Harness’’ in the Index.
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Your Driving and the Road
Power Winches
i !
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle, only use it \
when your
vehicle is stationary or anchored.
i
NOTICE
Use the regular brakes, set the parking brake or block the wh\
eels to keep
your vehicle from rolling.
Power rake-off (PTO)
Before using a power take-off, refer to the manufacturer’s or installer’s
instructions.
To engage a power take-off:
1. Set ths parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission into N (Neutral).
3. Hold the clutch pedal down and engage the power take-off.
*
If you are going to drive the vehicle, shift the transmission int\
o the gear
you want. Then shift the transfer case into the range you wan\
t
(if you
have four-wheel-drive), apply the regular brakes and release th\
e parking
brake.
When you release the clutch, the power take-off will start.
4. Release the clutch (and the regular brakes) as you normally \
would.
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Using a Transfer Case Mounted Power Take-Off (Manual
Transmission)
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transfer case into N (Neutral).
3. Hold the clutch pedal down. If the vehicle will remain in the same place,
4. Engage the power take-off.
shift the transmission into the highest
gear.
If you are going to drive the vehicle, shift the transmission into the gear
you want. Then shift the transfer case into the range you wan\
t, apply
the regular brakes and release the parking brake.
5 Release the clutch (and the regular brakes) as you normally \
would.
Using a Transfer Case Mounted Power Take-Off (Automatic
Transmission)
When you release the clutch, the power take-off will start.
1 I Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transfer case into N (Neutral).
3. Shift the transmission into N (Neutral).
4. Engage the power take-off.
If you are going to drive the vehicle, shift the transfer case into the
range you want. Then apply the regular brakes and release the \
parking
brake.
5. Shift the transmission to D (Drive) to start the power take-off.
6. Release the regular brakes to drive the vehicle.
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Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid.
K2470
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in your \
master cylinder
might go down. The first is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake
system.
If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’\
t work at all.
So, it
isn’t a good idea to “top
off” your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a leak.
If you add fluid when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add (or remove), \
brake fluid, as necessary only when work is done on the brake\
hydraulic
system.
CAUTION I
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the engine. The fluid
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add
. ake fhid nnlv en wn
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
- will burn if the engine is hot enough. You or others could he burned
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to check your brake
fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance” in the index.
To Check Brake Fluid:
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap. Just look at the
windows on the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid levels should be above the
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Service & Appearance Care
MIN mark. If they aren’t, have your brake system checked to see if there is a
leak.
t
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make sure t\
he levels are
above
MIN and below the top of each window.
What To Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid-such \
as Delco
Supreme
11 @ (GM Part No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Hydro-Boost Brake System (Hydraulic Pump)
The power steering pump is also used as the Hydro-boost pump. Refer to
“Power Steering System” in this section when checking fluid level or adding
fluid.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on .a modern vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to
be of ‘top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake parts in
them, as your vehicle does when it is new. When you replace parts
of your
braking system-for example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have
to have new ones put in-be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear brakes can change; for the\
worse. The
’ braking performance you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
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Service & Appearance Care
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for your vehicle. Weigh
your vehicle with your trailer attached,
so that you won’t go over the GVWR
or the GAWR.
You’ll get the best performance
if you spread out the weight of your load the
right way, and
if you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see “Trailer Towing” in the Index.
If you want more information on curb weights, cargo weights, cargo wei\
ght
rating and the correct center of gravity zone for your vehicle, your dealer can
help you. Just ask for a copy of “Consumer Information, Truck-Cam\
per
Loading.”
Pickup Conversion lo. Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners may consider having the
pickup box removed and a commercial
or recreational body installed. Before
you do
so, first contact the GM Zone Office for your area for information on
such conversions. (See the “Warranty and Owner Assistance”\
booklet for
Zone Office.) Owners should be aware that, as manufactured, th\
ere are
differences between a chassis cab and a pickup with the box r\
emoved which may affect vehicle safety. The components necessary to adapt the pickup to
permit its safe use with a specialized body should be installed by a bod\
y
builder in accordance with the information available from the Z\
one Office.
Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new vehicle comes with high quali\
ty tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. These tires are warranted by the \
tire
manufacturers and their warranties are delivered with every new \
vehicle.
If
your spare tire is a different brand than your road tires, you will have a tire
warranty folder from each of these manufacturers.
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Scheduled Maintenance Sewices
When the wheels are removed for rotation, inspect disc brake pads f\
or wear
and rotors for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings for wear and
cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including drums, wheel cylind\
ers, parking
brake, etc., at the same time. Remove any rust
or dirt from the wheel and
mounting surfaces before mounting the wheel.
Inspect brakes more often if driving habits or conditions resull In
frequent braking.
Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be mad\
e at the
time period specified
to help ensure proper safety, emission performance, and
dependability of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once. Whenever \
any fluids
or lubricants are added to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones,
as shown
in this Section.
At Least Once a Month
Tire inflation pressure check -Check the tires for proper inflation. If they
are low, inflate them
to the level specified on the certification label or on the
tire inflation charts. See “Loading Your Vehicle’’ or “Inflation-Tire Pressure” in
the Index.
At Least Once a Year
Key lock cylinder lubrication -Lubricate key lock cylinders with engine oil.
See the “Recommended Fluid and Lubricants’’ chart in this section.
Transmission neutral or clutch start switch operation
CAUTION
~
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the veh\
icle.
2. Firmly apply both the manual parking brake and the regular brake. See
“Brakes” and “Parking Brake” in the Index.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal.
3. Be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
4. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the engine in each gear.
The starter should work only in
P (Park) or N (Neutral).
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