1993 GMC SIERRA Index

How To Use This Manual
A
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first
receive their new vehicle. This will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words
work together
to explain things quickly.
INDEX: A good place to look for what you need is the Index in back of the
manual.
It’s an alphabetical list of all that’s in the manual, and the page
number where you’ll find
it.
SECTIONS 1-6: Each section of this manual begins with a brief list of its
contents,
so you can often find at a glance if a section contains the
information you want.
SECTION 7:. This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle.
SECTION 8: CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. This section includes important
information about reporting safety defects and gives you details\
about the Roadside Assistance Program. You will also find customer satisfaction phone
numbers (including customer satisfaction numbers for the hearing\
and speech
impaired) as well as the mediation/arbitration procedure. We’ve also included
ordering information for service publications in this section.
0-1
ProCarManuals.com

II
I
I I
AM120007
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index) so you can sit
up straight.
II
I’
AN120120
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. On some models
you may hear
a clicking sound as the shoulder belt is pulled out or
when released back into the cover. This is the shoulder belt tension
reducing feature operating properly. Don’t let the belt get \
twisted.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
1-1 9
ProCarManuals.com

Features & Controls
New Vehicle “Bmak-Rn99
1 NOTICE
Jr modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But\
it will
perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmlh) or less for the first 500 miles
(804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed-fast or slow-for the first 500 miles
(804 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or so.
During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this “breaking-in” guideline every time you get
new brake linings.
If you have
a 3500 HD Model, see “Parking Brake” in the Index.
Ignition Switch
Use your square key to start your vehicle. The square key lets you turn the
ignition switch
to five different positions:
6 1
RUN
KO404
Acc (Accessory): Acc lets you use things like the radio and the windshield
wipers when the engine
is off. To get into Acc, push in the key and turn it
toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was before you
inserted the key.
2-1 0
ProCarManuals.com

Features & Controls
A On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key to LOCK will lock
3 steering column and result in a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need to turn th\
e engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only to OFF. Don’t move
the key -‘?ase lever while the vehicle is mc
IQ.
To Remove the Key
On manual transmission vehicles, turn the key to the LOCK position while
pressing the key release lever down. Keeping your finger on the lever, pull
the key straight out.
On automatic transmission vehicles, turn the key to
LOCK and pull it straight
out.
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
If you have a diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel Engine” in the Index.
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number for your engine. You will find the VIN
at the top left
of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle Identification Number”\

in the Index.)
Follow the proper steps to start the engine.
To Starl Your 4.3 Liter (Code Z) engine
or
5.0 Liter (Code H) engine:
1. Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). Your engine won’t start
in any other position-that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re
already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
NOTICE I
Manual Transmission
Shift your gear selector to neutral and hold the clutch pedal to the floor
while starting the engine. Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal is
not all the way down-that’s a safety feature.
2-1 2
ProCarManuals.com

When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator ped\
al. Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle.
If you 1
add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the fuel
injection system operates. Before adding electrical equipment, ch\
eck with
your dealer. If you don’t, your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see the part of this Manu; .
that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
NOTICE I
If you -drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can
come
in through your engine’s air intake and badly damage your engin\
e. 1%-
you can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through very slowlv. I
--
Never drive through standing water more than 8 inches deep if yo~
vehicle has a diesel engine.
Also, don’t drive through any standing water
faster than
5 mph (8 kmh). If you do, water can be drawn in through the
air intake, and this can severely damage your engine.
-
Driving In Snow (Diesel Engines)
When driving in a heavy snowstorm or in swirling snow with a diesel engine,
snow can get into the air intake system.
If you keep driving in these
conditions, the air cleaner may get plugged, causing black smok\
e and
loss of
power. In an emergency,
if the air cleaner is plugged with snow, you can
remove the air cleaner. Then, drive to a place
of safety as soon as possible
and put the air cleaner back on.
Starting Your Diesel Engine
Your diesel .engine starts differently than a gasoline engine.
1. Automatic Transmission:
Move your shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). Your engine won’t start
in any other position-that’s a safety feature.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
2-1 5
ProCarManuals.com

CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an ele\
ctrical
shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and
cause a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a
properly grounded three-prong
11 0-volt outlet. If the cord won’t reach,
use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least \
15
amps.
1 NOTICE
1 After you’ve used the block heater, be sure to store the cord in th~~~~
manner it was, to help keep it away from moving engine parts.\

If YOU
don’t, it could be torn and damaged.
~p@&%?yl~
How long should you keep tne MOCK neater plugged in? The answer depends
on the weather, the kind
of oil ,you have, and some other things. Follow this-
chart.
,.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER USAGE”
Viscosity . 32’ $0 0°F ’ 0’ to -10°F ‘Belaw -1 0°F
Grade Oil (0” to &I S‘C) ’ ’ (-18’ to. -23°C) (B&w -23°C)
SAE Not Two Eight Hours
I OW-30 Required Hours or Overnight
SAE . Nit ’ . Two Eight Hours
15W-40 f3equired Hours or Overnight
..
* The times listed are minimum. times. It will not harm &her
the block heater
TO1 57
or the vehicle to leave it plugged in longer than the times stated. 3
For best results in cold weather, use Number I-D diesel fuel or a “winterized”
Number
2-D fuel.
If Your Diesel Engine Won’t- Start
If you’ve run out of fuel, look -at “Running Out Of Fuel” (see ‘‘Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System”
m the Index).
If you’re not out of fuel, and your engine won’t start, do this:
Turn y6ur ignition key
to Run. .Make sure that the GLOW PLUGS light is out.
Then turn
the ignition key to Stkrt while you ‘push the accelerator pedal
down.
2-1 8
ProCarManuals.com

. If the light. doesn’t go off, wait a few seconds, then try staiting your engine
again. And, see your dealer
as soon as you- can for a starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes out and you know your batte\
ries are
charged, but your engine still won’t start, your vehicle nee\
ds service.
If your batteries don’t have enough .charge to start ,your engine, see “Battery”
in the Index.
Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that you’ve changed the
oil
at the proper times. If you use the wrong oil, your engine may be harder
to start.
If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE
Don’t use starting “aids” such as ether or gasoline, in the m~v intakc They
could damage your engine.
..- - .- * K2214
In very cold weather, 0°F (-18°C) or colder, if you have an engine block
heater, it can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up.
2-1 9
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic lLansmission
K2362
There are several different positions for your gear lever.
P (Park)
This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
* It is 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.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless \
you have
to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle
won’t move, when you’re on fairly level ground, always se\
t your parking brake and move the shift lever to
P (Park).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be free to roll-even
if
your shift lever is in P (ParkLif your transfer case is in N (Neutral).
So, be sure the transfer cas s in a drive gear-not N {“eutral).
See “Shifting Into
P- I;’’ in tne 3ex. If you are parking on a hill, or
if you’re pulling a traller, also see “Parking on Hills” \
or “Towing a
Trailer’’ in the Index.
2-2 1
ProCarManuals.com