1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Owners Manual

To Check Brake Fluid
m You can check the
brake fluid without
taking off the cap. Just
look at the windows
on the brake fluid
reservoir. The fluid
levels should be above
“MIN.” If they aren’t,
have your brake
system checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make sure the levels are
above
‘“IN‘’ and below the top of each window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid - such as
Delco Supreme
ll@ (GM Part No.1052535). Use new brake fluid from a
sealed container only, and always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap before
removing it.
0 Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid. For
example, just
a few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake system parts
so
badly that they’li have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so be careful not to spill brake
fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”
in the Index.
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in
costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
Rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise,
have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Trave/
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if
there
is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake
trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear.
Tf your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up and firmly applying the
brakes a few times.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake parts in
them, as your vehicle does when it is new. When you replace parts of your
braking system
- for example, when your brake linings wear down and
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.
Other Maintenance Items
Front Suspension and Steering Linkage
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate the fittings.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for the proper
lubricant to use.
Front Wheel Bearing
Your vehicle has front wheel bearings that must be cleaned and repacked.
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often this must be done.
Front Shock Absorbers
The front shock absorbers of your vehicle do many things. They help the
vehicle ride smoothly and also control the travel of the suspension system.
When the shock absorbers are serviced, any replacement shock absorbers
must be the same as the original equipment shock absorbers
in both
extended length
and strength.
I NOTICE:
If you use shock absorbers that are not the same as the original
shock absorbers, the shock absorbers or suspension system
could be damaged.
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Wheel Nut Torque
For vehicles with dual wheels, when the vehicle, wheel or fasteners are new,
have the torque set at
the first 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1600 and
9600 km). Use the torque specified in the appropriate Specification Chart
later
in this section.
Single Belt Accessory Drive
If your new vehicle uses a serpentine belt, it is lighter, and more durable
than systems with several belts.
The belt
ruIl 'li'vkf br iir6und the pulleys or^ the engine. A tensione'r'n'iay be
used to keep the belt tight at all times. The tensioner also makes replacing
the belt easier
if you need to replace the belt, be sure to get the correct
replacement belt. Your dealership
or parts supplier can help you with this.
The Accessory Drive Belt Routing label on your vehicle will show you how
to route the belt your vehicle uses.
Windshield Wiper Blade lnserts
To replace your
windshield wiper
blade inserts, lift the
wiper arm and rotate
the blade until
it is
facing
away from the
windshield.
Unlatch the end
of the insert from the holding clips. Remove the insert and
slide
a new one in place. Make sure the blade is secured in the clips.
Air Conditioning
Every now and then have your dealership check your air conditioning
system to be sure
it has not lost any cooling ability. If you think the system
is not working properly, have your dealership check it out as soon as
possible.
The air conditioning will not work when the temperature
is below 40°F
(4°C).
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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.
Lubrication
Accelerator Control System
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often the accelerator linkage
pivot points must be lubricated. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in
the Index for the proper lubricant to use.
Accelerator cables and cruise control cables should not be lubricated. Any
cables that are worn or
are hard to pull should be replaced.
Hood Latches and Hood Hinge
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate the hood
latch and hood hinge assembly. See the Index under “Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” for the proper lubricant to use.
Propeller Shaft Slip Splines
See your maintenance schedule to find out how often the slip splines must
be lubricated. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for
the proper lubricant to use.
Constant Velocity Joints
See your maintenance schedule to find out how often the constant velocity
joints must be lubricated. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Index for the proper lubricant to use.
Normal
use of your vehicle will cause metal to metal wear at some points on
the cab and body if they are not lubricated.
For exposed surfaces, such
as door checks, door lock bolts, lock striker plates,
dovetail bumper wedges, etc., a thin
film of engine oil should be applied.
The seat adjusters and seat track should be lubricated
with chassis grease.
Door weather strips and rubber hood bumpers should be lightly coated with
a rubber lubricant.
Never use too much of any lubricant and be sure to wipe up any extra
lubricant when you are finished.
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Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate these items.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for the proper
lubricant to use.
Lock Cylinders
To be sure your locks operate properly, they must be lubricated. Your
vehicle’s maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate them.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for the proper
lubricant to use.
You should not use penetrating oils because they could wash out the factory
installed lubricant and cause the lock to bind. De-icers which contain
alcohol could
also wash away the lubricant, so be sure to lubricate the lock
after using a de-icer of this type.
Tailgate Handle
The tailgate handle pivot points on your vehicle should be lubricated to keep
it working smoothly.
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate the handle.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for the proper
lubricant to use.
Battery
Every new GM 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.
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Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lights are off and the
engine isn't running.
Sealed Beam Headlights
3. Unplug and
remove the
headlight.
headlight and put
it in place.
5. Install the
4. Plug in the new
retainer to the
headlight and tighten the
1. Remove the four
screws from the
headlight retainer.
2. Pull the headlight out and remove
the retainer.
screws.
Halogen Bulbs
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NOTICE:
Avoid touching the bulb or letting it come in contact with
anything damp. Oil from
your skin or moisture on the bulb can
cause the bulb to explode when it is turned on. If either comes in
contact with the bulb, clean
it with alcohol or a suitable
degreaser and wipe the bulb dry.
Composite Headlights
.' --6n k
'I
i 1. Remove the two
screws at the top
of the radiator
support.
2. Pull the headlight
lens assembly
out.
3. Unplug the
electrical
connector.
4. Turn the bulb to
the left and
remove it.
5. Put the new bulb in the lens assembly and turn it to the right until it is
6. Plug in the electrical connector.
7. Put the headlight lens assembly back into the vehicle. Install and
tight.
tighten the two screws.
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