
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 
1 If you  try  to  do  your  own  service  work  without  knowing  enough  ab\
out it, I 
1 your  vehicle  could  be  damaged. 
Maintenance  Schedule 
Section  7 of this  manual,  “Scheduled  Maintenance  Services”,  explains  the \
maintenance  your  new  vehicle  needs,  and  when 
it -should  be done.  It  also, 
has  a  form  that  you  can  use  to  record  the  maintenance  work  done  \
on  your 
vehicle.  Be  sure  to read  this  ,information. 
-I .. >. ’ , . 
Fuel (Gasoline  Engines) 
If  your  vehicle  has  a  diesel  engine,  see  “Diesel  Fuel  Requi\
rements  and  Fuel 
System’’  in this  Section:  For  vehicles  with  gasoline  engines,  please  read  this. 
Use  regular  unleaded  gasoline  rated  at  87  octane  or’higher. 
It should  meet 
specifications  ASTM  D4814  in  the 
U.S. and CGSB 3.592 in  Canada.  These 
fuels  should  have  the  proper  additives, 
so you  should  not  have  to  add 
anything  to the  fuel. 
In  the 
U.S. and  Canada,  it’s  easy  to be  sure  you  get  the  right  kind  of 
gasoline  (unleaded).  You’ll  see 
UNLEADED right  on  the  pump.  And  only 
unleaded  nozzles 
will fit  into  your  vehicle’s  filler  neck. 
Be  sure  the  posted  octane  is at  least  87.  If  the  octane 
is less  than  87,  you 
may  get  a  heavy  knocking  noise  when  you  drive. 
If it’s bad  enough, it can 
damage  your  engine. 
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Cleaning Your Diesel  Engine 
you  spray  or  pour  water  or  any  other liquid on  your  engine  when  it  is 
arm  or  hot, 
or when  it is  running,  you  could cause  serious  damagl o it. 
you  ever  clean the  engine,  clean  it only  when  it  is cold. 
Noise  Control  System 
The  following  information  relates  to  compliance  with  Federal  noi\
se  emission 
standards  for  vehicles  with  a  Gross  Vehicle  Weight  Rating  (GVW\
R)  of  more 
than  10,000  pounds 
(4 536  kilograms).  See  your  maintenance  schedule  for 
information  on  maintaining  the  noise  control  system  to minimize  degradation 
of 
the  noise  emission  control  system  during  the  life  of  your  vehicle.  The noise 
control  system  warranty  is given  in your  Warranty  booklet. 
These  standards  apply  only  to vehicles  sold  in the  United  States. 
Tampering  With  Noise  Control  System  Prohibited 
Federal  law prohibits  the  following  acts  or the  causing  thereof: 
1.  The  removal  or  rendering  inoperative  by  any  person,  other  t\
han  for  purposes  of  maintenance,  repair  or  replacement,  of  any  device 
or 
element  of design  incorporated  into  any  new vehicle  for  the  purpose  of 
noise  control,  prior  to its  sale  or  delivery  to  the  ultimate  purchaser  or 
while  it  is  in use; 
or 
2. The  use  of  the  vehicle  after  such  device or element  of  design  has  been 
removed  or  rendered  inoperative  by  any  person. 
Among  those  acts  presumed  to  constitute  tampering  are  the acts  listed  below. 
Insulation: 
Removal  of  noise  shields or underhood  insulation. 
Engine: 
Removal  or  rendering  engine  speed  governor, if so equipped,  inoperative 
so as to allow  engine  speed  to exceed  manufacturer  specifications. 
Fan  and  Drive: 
Removal  of  fan  clutch, if so equipped, or rendering  clutch  inoperative. 
Removal  of fan  shroud, if so equipped. 
Air  Intake: 
Removal  of  air  cleaner  silencer. 
Reversing  air  cleaner  cover. 
6-1 
9 
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What to Do with Used Oil: 
I 
I PAUTION 
Used  engine  oil  contains  things  that  have  caused  skin  cancer  i\
n I 
 laboratory  animals.  Don’t  let  used  oil  stay  on  your  skin  fo\
r  very  long. 
clnan  your  skin  and  nails  with  soap  and  water,  or  a  good  hand 
c,,aner.  Wash  or  properly  throw  away  clothing  or  rags  containing 
used  engine  oil. 
I 
Used  oil  can  be  a  real  threat  to  the  environment.  If  you  change  your  own  oil, 
be  sure  to  drain  all  free-flowing  oil  from  the  filter  before  disp\
osal.  Don’t  ever 
dispose  of 
oil by  putting  it in  the  trash,  pouring  it on  the  ground,  into  sewers, 
or  into  streams 
or bodies of water.  Instead,  recycle  it  by  taking it to  a  place 
that  collects  used  oil. 
If you  have  a  problem  properly  disposing  of your  used 
oil,  ask  your  dealer,  a  service  station  or  a  local  recycling  \
center  for  help. 
Air  Cleaner 
I I 
PO216 
Refer  to  the  Maintenance  Schedule  to  determine  when  to  replace \
 the air 
cleaner  filter  on  diesel  engines  and  the  air  cleaner  filter  an\
d  crankcase  ventilation  filter  on  gasoline  engines.  See  “Scheduled  Mainten\
ance  Services’’ 
in  the  Index. 
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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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How to Add Fluid: 
Here’s  how to  add fluid.  Refer  to the  Maintenance  Schedule  to  determine 
what  kind  of  fluid  to use.  See  “Recommended  Fluids  and  Lubricants”  in the 
Index. 
1. Remove  the  filler  plug. 
2. Add  fluid  at  the  filler  plug  hole.  Add  only  enough  fluid  to  \
bring  the  fluid 
3. Install  the  filler  plug.  Be  sure  that  the  filler  plug  is  full\
y  seated. 
level  up 
to the  bottom 
of the  filler  plug  hole. 
Hydraulic Clutch 
112” to 
K2376 
The  hydraulic  clutch  in  your  vehicle  is  self-adjusting. A slight  amount  of  play 
(112 inch  to  an  inch)  in the  pedal  is  normal. 
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Service & Amearance Care 
- 
When to Check  and  What to Use; 
Refer  to the  Maintenance  Schedule  to determine  how  often  you  should  check 
the  fluid  level  in  your clutch  master  cylinder  reservoir  and  what  to  add.  See 
“Owner  Checks  and  Services”  and  “Recommended  Fluids  and \
 Lubricants”  in 
the  Index. 
How to Check: 
K2344 
The  proper  fluid  should  be  added if the  level  does  not  reach  the  bottom of 
the  diaphragm  when  it’s  in place  in the  reservoir.  See  the  instructions  on  the 
reservoir  cap. 
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