1993 GMC SIERRA maintenance

INTRODUCTION
1993 Sierra Owner’s Manual
Welcome
This manual was prepared to acquaint you with the operation an\
d
maintenance of your
1993 GMC Truck or Chassis, and to provide important
safety information. There is also a GMC Truck Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information booklet. In some vehicles, there can be information
manuals from other manufacturers like body builders or special \
equipment
companies. We urge you to review all these publications carefully. This
will
help you enjoy safe and trouble-free operation of your vehicle.
When it comes to service, keep in mind that your GMC Truck dealer knows
your vehicle best and is interested in your complete satisfaction. Your dealer
invites you to return
for all of your service needs both during and after the
warranty period.
Remember,
if you have a concern and need help handling it to your
satisfaction see the procedure in Section 8,
or in the GMC Truck Warranty
and Owner Assistance Information booklet.
Thanks
for choosing a GMC Truck product. We value you as a member of
the GMC Truck family. We want to assure you of our continuing interest in
your pleasure and satisfaction with your vehicle.
GMC Truck Division
General
Motors Corporation
Pontiac, Michigan
@Copyright 7992 General Motors Corporation, GMC Truck Division.
All Rights Reserved
Second Edition Printed in
USA
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Section
0
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes
safety and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.
I
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts
properly.
2
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
3
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort
controls and how to operate your audio system.
4
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and
how to drive under different conditions.
5
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while
driving, such as
a flat tire or engine overheating.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running
properly and looking good.
7
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and
what fluids and lubricants to use.
8
This section tells you how to contact your GM division for
assistance and
how to get service publications. It also gives
vou information on “Reportina Safetv Defects”.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of alr..,st every subject in this
manual. You can use
it to quickly find something you want to
m read. -
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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.
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Your Driving and the Road
LOW
SHOULDER
WORKERS
AHEAD FLAGGER
AHEAD
I AM40200
ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance. You’ll want to slow
down when you see an orange sign, as part of the road may be closed off
or torn up. And there may be workers and maintenance vehicles around, too.
II WES EAST
HOSPITAL
EX11 1
AM402008
GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may indicate upcoming
freeway exits or
show the direction you should turn to reach a particular
place.
INFORMATION
I
BLUE signs with white letters show motorists’ services.
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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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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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Service & Appearance Care
Engine Coolant ........................................................................\
........................ 6-42
Power Steering Fluid
........................................................................\
............... 6-46
Windshield Washer Fluid
........................................................................\
......... 6-48
Brake Master Cylinder
........................................................................\
............. 6-49
Replacing Brake System Parts
........................................................................\
.. 6-50
Other Maintenance Items ........................................................................\
........... 6-51
Lubrication
........................................................................\
.................................... 6-52
Electrical System
........................................................................\
......................... 6-54
Battery
........................................................................\
...................................... 6-54
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................................................................\
.... 6-64
Bulb Replacement
........................................................................\
.................... 6-54
Exhaust System
........................................................................\
........................... 6-65
Loading Your Vehicle
........................................................................\
.................. 6-67
Tires
........................................................................\
.............................................. 6-72
Inflation-Tire Pressure
........................................................................\
........... 6-73
Tire Inspection and Rotation
........................................................................\
.. 6-78
When It's Time for New Tires
........................................................................\
6-80
Buying New Tires
........................................................................\
.................... 6-81
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
............................................................... 6-82
Wheel Replacement
........................................................................\
................. 6-83
Tire Chains
........................................................................\
............................... 6-84
Appearance Care
........................................................................\
........................ 6-84
Cleaning the Inside Of Your Vehicle
............................................................. 6-85
Cleaning the Outside Of Your Vehicle
.......................................................... 6-88
Appearance Care Materials
.r.ikl...rr.r.n.....lr. ........ ... .. 6-91
Vehicle Identification Number
........................................................................\
..... 6-92
Service Parts Identification Label
...................................................................... 6-94
Specification Charts
....++t....,.,.*,..-".,,. .............. , ........... .................... 6-95
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
........................................................................\
.. 6-81
..................................................
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Service
Your General Motors dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be
happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for
all your service needs.
You’ll get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported ser\
vice people.
We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM. Genuine
GM parts
have one of theqe marks:
Doing Your
If you want to
proper General
GM
Own Service Work
do some of your own service work, you’ll want to get the
.. Motors Service Manual. It tells you much more about how to
service your vehicle than this manual can.
To order the proper service
manual, see “Service Publications” in the Index.
You should keep a .record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the
date of any service work you perform. See “Maintenance Record” \
in the
Index.
I CAUTION
AA You can be injured if you try to erv n a vehicle without
knowing enough about it.
I
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, and the
proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and other fasteners.
“English” and “metric” fasteners can be easily confus\
ed.
If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later break or fall
off. You
could be hurt.
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