
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles, your wheels can
leave the ground.
If this happens, even with one or two wheels, you can’t
control the vehicle as well or at all.
Because you
will be on an unpaved surface, it’s especially important to
avoid sudden acceleration, sudden turns, or sudden braking.
In a way, off-road driving requires a different kind
of alertness from driving
on paved roads and highways. There are no road signs, posted speed limits
or signal lights. You have to use your own good judgment about what is safe
and what isn’t.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any road. And this is
certainly true for off-road driving. At the very
time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your reflexes, perceptions and judgment
can be
affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You could have a serious
- or
even fatal - accident if you drink and drive or ride with a driver who has
been drinking. (See “Drunken Driving”
in the Index.)
Driving On Ofl-Road Hills
Off-road driving often takes you up, down, or across a hill. Driving safely
on hills requires good judgment and an understanding of what your vehicle
can and can’t do. There are some hills that simply can’t be driven, no matter
how well built the vehicle.
1
Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it’s one of those hills that’s
just
too steep to climb, descend, or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge.
On a very small hill, for example, there may be a smooth, constant incline
with only a small change
in elevation where you can easily see all the way
to the top.
On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as you near the top,
but
you may not see this because the crest of the hill is hidden by bushes,
grass, or shrubs.
4-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing a Trailer
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result\
in costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this section, and see your
GM
dealer for important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing. If it was built with trailering
options, as many are, it’s ready for heavier trailers. But trailering
is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in
handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section.
In it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers.
So please read this section carefully before you
pull
a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0 There are many different laws having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you
live but also where you’ll be
driving.
A good source for this information can be state or provincial
police.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh 2,000 pounds
(900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will weigh more than
2,000 pounds (900 kg).
You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles (I 6 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
0 The vehicle is frequently operated off-road.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil
andfilter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
12 months - whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Four-wheel Drive Remote Oil Filter
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you will have a remote oil filter
located under the hood. It is mounted to the front left inner fender, behind
the headlights.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather, 0°F (-18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater
” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay
on your skin for very long. Clean your skin
and nails with soap and water,
or
a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.)
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 disposal. 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.
6-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine
fire. And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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
GM 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.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting
a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if you check your transmission fluid.
6-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. If the fluid level
is in the
acceptable range,
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 fluids labeled DEXR0N’-I11 or DEXR0N’-IIE,
because fluids with those labels are made especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluids other than DEXRON@-I11 or
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.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the fluid in your manual transmission doesn’t require changing.
How fo Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a
GM dealership Service Department.
If
you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
6- 18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Fluid Leak Check
After the vehicle has been parked for a while, inspect the surface under the
vehicle for water, oil, fuel or other fluids. Water dripping from
the air
conditioning system after it has been used is normal. If you notice fuel leaks
or fumes, the causes should be found and corrected at once.
Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You never have to add
water
to one of these. When it’s time for a new battery, we recommend a
Delco Freedom@ battery. Get one that has the catalog number shown on the
original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, take off the
black, negative
(-) cable from the battery. This will help keep your battery
from running down.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods.
For more information, contact your dealer’s service department, or write:
Adistra Corporation
17 1 Hamilton Street
Plymouth, MI
48 170
In Canada, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Services Department
Oshawa, Ontario
L1J 5Z6 Canada
6-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Be sure to use the
correct fuse.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a spare fuse, you can
“borrow”
one of the correct value. Just pick some feature of your vehicle
that you can get along without-like
the radio or cigarette lighter-and use
its fuse, if it is
of the value you need. Replace it as soon as you can. See
“Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in this section.
Capacities and Specification Charts
Replacement Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are based on the latest
information available at the time
of printing, and are subject to change. If a
part listed in this manual is
not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when it was built,
or if you have any questions, please contact your GM
truck dealer.
Engine Identification
Engine Description
Type
VIN Code
Fuel System
Produced By
Emissions
4.3L
V6
Z
TBP
U.S.
L.D.
4.3L
V6
w
CPI**
U.S.
L.D.
*Throttle Body Fuel Injection
**Central Port Fuel Injection
6-62

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Explanation Of Scheduled Maintenance Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in the maintenance charts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in this section. Make sure
whoever services your vehicle
uses these. All parts should be replaced and
all necessary repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGE* - ALWAYS USE
API SERVICE SH OR SG ENERGY CONSERVING I1 OILS OF THE
PROPER VISCOSITY. The “SH” or “SG” designation may be shown
alone or in combination with others, such as “SHKD”, or
“SH, SG,
CD,” or “SG/CD”, etc.
To determine the preferred viscosity oil for your
vehicle’s engine (e.g. SAE
5W-30), see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
CHASSIS LUBRICATION - Lubricate the front suspension, ball
joint, steering linkage, and transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, propshaft splines, universal joints, brake pedal springs,
and clutch pedal springs at the intervals specified on the proper
maintenance schedule, or at every engine oil change, whichever comes
first.
Ball joints should
not be lubricated unless their temperature is 10°F
(-12°C) or higher. When the weather is cold, let them warm up before
lubricating them
or they could be damaged.
Also, be sure to check all the vehicle fluid levels at this time.
COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE* - Drain, flush and refill the
system with new or approved recycled coolant conforming to “GM
Specification
603%”’. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for the
proper coolant and mixture to use in your vehicle.
Also inspect
the hoses and replace them if they are cracked, swollen, or
deteriorated. Clean the outside of the radiator and air conditioning
condenser. Wash the radiator neck. To ensure proper operation,
pressure test the radiator and cap.
AIR CLEANER FILTER REPLACEMENT” - Replace at
specified intervals. Ask your dealer for the proper replacement
intervals for your driving conditions.
FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPACK (2-WHEEL DRIVE
ONLY) - Clean and repack the front wheel bearings at each brake
relining,
or at the specified interval, whichever comes first.
*An Emission Control Service
7-7