Page 10 of 385
These symbols are on some of your controls:
I I Windshield Wiper
rl
i Rear Window
Washer Windshield
Washer Windshield
Defroster
1
3c
Rear
Window
Defogger Ventilating Fan
These symbols are used on
warning and indicator lights:
Engine Coolant
Temperature
BRAKE
I Brake
I p3
Baftery Charging
System
Fuel
ANTI-
I LOCK
I 4 Wheel
Anti-Lock
I RELEASE
Parking Brake Release
I\J
Rear Window Wiper
Hatch
Release
I
Engine Oil
Pressure
I SHIFT
1 Shift Light
ix
ProCarManuals.com
Page 72 of 385

3. If this light does not come on, or the instant the light goes off, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let go of the key.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in “Start” for longer than 15 seconds at a time
will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
4. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking, turn the
ignition key to
OFF. Wait one minute for the starter to cool, then try
the same steps again.
If you’re trying to start your engine after you’ve run out of fuel, follow the
steps
in “Running Out of Fuel” (see “Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel
System”
in the Index).
When your engine
is cold, let it run for a few minutes before you move your
vehicle. This lets oil pressure build up. Your engine
will sound louder when
it’s cold.
NOTICE:
If you’re not in an idling vehicle and the engine overheats, you
wouldn’t be there to see the coolant temperature gage. This
could damage your vehicle. Don’t let your engine run when
you’re not in your vehicle.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel Engine)
The following tips will help you get good starting in cold weather.
Use
SAE low-30 oil when the outside temperature drops below freezing.
When the outside temperature drops below 0°F
(-I S’C), use your engine
coolant heater.
If
you park your vehicle in a garage, you shouldn’t need to use the coolant
heater
until the garage temperature goes below 0°F (-1 Sac), no matter how
cold
it is outside.
2- 17
ProCarManuals.com
Page 73 of 385

To use the engine coolant heater, first turn off the engine. Then open the
hood, unwrap the electrical cord and plug it in. It uses normal house voltage
(1 10 volts), but:
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the \
cord in
the manner it was, to help keep it away from moving engine
parts.
If you don’t, it could be torn and damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends
on the weather, the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Follow this chart.
Engine Coolant Heater Usage
Viscosity/
Oil Grade
SAE
1 OW-30
SAE
15W-40
32°F to 0°F 0°F to -10°F Below -10°F
(o0C to -18°C) (-18°C to-23°C) Below
-23°C
Not
Required
Not
Required Two
Hours*
Two
Hours* Eight Hours*
or Overnight
Eight Hours* or Overnight
*The times listed are minimum times.
It will not harm either the coolant
heater or the vehicle to leave the coolant heater plugged
in longer than the
times stated.
For best results
in cold weather, use Number 1-D diesel fuel or a
“winterized” Number
2-D fuel.
2-18
ProCarManuals.com
Page 74 of 385

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” in the Index).
If you’re not out of fuel, and your engine won’t start, do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. Make sure that the “GLOW PLUGS” light
is out. Then turn the ignition key to
START.
If the light doesn’t go off, wait a few seconds, then try starting 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 off and you know your batteries are
charged, but your engine still won’t start, your vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come
on when the engine is cold, your vehicle needs
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.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
2- 19
ProCarManuals.com
Page 75 of 385
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 1 8 “C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can
help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine
warn-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt outlet.
I
I
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the \
cord as
it was before
to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you
don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends on the weather, the kind of oil
you have, and some other things.
Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact a GM
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
2-20
ProCarManuals.com
Page 127 of 385

This light will come on briefly when you are starting the engine. If the light
comes
on and stays on while you are driving, it could indicate a problem
with your vehicle. It could be a problem with your oil pressure, coolant
temperature, or some other problem. Check your various gages to see
if they
are
in the warning zones. If they are, have your vehicle serviced right away.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Indicator Light
(Canada Only)
The green Daytime
Running Lights
(DRL) Indicator light,
if you have one,
is
located near the upper
center of the
instrument cluster.
If your vehicle was first sold, when new,
in Canada, you will have this green
light on the instrument panel. It will light whenever the Daytime Running
Lights are on.
For more details about DRL, see “Headlights and Vehicle
Lighting” in this section.
Shift Indicator Light
The orange SHIFT
Indicator light, if you
have one, is located
near the upper left
corner
of the
instrument cluster.
This light, with the word
SHIFT and the upshift arrow, is used on some
models with manual transmissions. Depending
on your particular model,
your vehicle may not have this light. The SHIFT indicator light will help
you get the best fuel economy. See “Shift Light” or “Shift Speeds-
Vehicles Without Shift Light”
in this section for more information.
2-72
ProCarManuals.com
Page 129 of 385
Oil Pressure Gage
Standard Cluster -Gas Standard Cluster -Diesel
40
Tachometer Cluster -Gas Tachometer Cluster -Diesel
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds per
square inch) when the engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in
kPa (kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity,
but readings above the low pressure
zone indicate the normal operating range.
2-76
ProCarManuals.com
Page 132 of 385
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerously low oil
level or other problem causing low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as
possible.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be
costly and
is not covered by your warranty.
Voltmeter
Standard Cluster Tachometer Cluster
14
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is on (in the RUN
Position), this gage shows your battery’s state of charge in DC volts. When
the engine is running, the gage shows the condition
of the charging system.
Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings
in either warning zone indicate a possible problem in the electrical
system.
2-77
ProCarManuals.com