1994 GMC SIERRA change time

Important Notes to Owners and Drivers
. . . .About This Manual:
Please keep this manual in your vehicle so it will be there if you ever need it
when you’re
on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in
it so the new owner can use it.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We
reserve the right to make changes
in the product after that time without
further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for
GMC Truck Division whenever it
appears in this manual.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language
Manual:
Aux proprietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer un exemplaire de
ce guide
en francais chez votre concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing
Services Ltd.,
1500 Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1 C7.
I_ =l
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GMCTRUCK
General Motors, GM, the GM Emblem, GMC and Sierra are registered
trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.
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NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your
vehicle.
If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the
way the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see the part of this
manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle.
See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
To start your 5.7 Liter (Code K) or 7.4 Liter (Code N) V8 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key t\
o “Start.”
When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
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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.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in “Start.” If it doesn’t start
in three seconds, push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter
of the
way down for 12 more seconds, or until it starts.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), \
it could be
flooded with too much gasoline. Try this:
Wait
15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down. Then push your
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. Hold it there. Then hold the
key in “Start” for no more than ten seconds. This
clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and do Step
3 again.
Hot Engine Restart (Vehicles With 5.7L LO5 Engine and Over 8500 lbs.
GVWR): If your engine is already hot and then stalls, turn your ignition
key to
OFF. Then, turn your key to RUN, and wait about 20 seconds
before you restart your engine.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
If your engine is already hot and then stalls, turn your ignition\
key to
OFF.
Then turn your key to “Run” and wait 20 seconds before you restart your
engine. When the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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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.
1 A CAUTION:
Do not use gasoline or starting “aids,” such as ether, in the air
intake.
They could damage your engine. There could also be a
fire, which could cause serious personal injury.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
In very cold weather, 0°F (-I 8°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can
help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
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Headlights-On Reminder
A buzzer will sound when your headlights are turned on and your ignition is
in
OFF, LOCK or ACC. If you need to use your headlights when the
ignition switch is in
OFE LOCK or ACC, the buzzer can be turned off by
turning the interior light switch dial all the way
off.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Indicator Light
(Canada On/y)
If your vehicle was
first sold, when new,
in Canada, you will
have this light on the
instrument panel.
It goes on whenever
the Daytime Running
Lights are on.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada On/y)
The Canadian Federal Government has decided that “Daytime Running
Lights” (DRL)
are a useful feature, in that DRL can make your vehicle more
visible to pedestrians and other drivers during daylight hours. DRL are
required on new vehicles sold in Canada.
The high beam headlights will come on at reduced brightness in daylight
when:
The ignition is on,
The headlight switch is off, and
The parking brake is released.
When you turn on your headlights, the DRL will switch
off and the exterior
lights will come on. When you turn
off the headlights, the exterior lights
will go out and the high beams will change to the reduced brightness of
DRL again. The
DRL indicator light on the instrument panel will go on
whenever the DRL are on. This light means that only the DRL are on. When
you turn on your exterior lights, this light will go out.
Of course, you may still turn on the headlights any time
you need to.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL
off, set the parking brake. The DRL will
stay
off until you release the parking brake.
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As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on rear wheel speed
and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need to get your foot up
to the brake pedal. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you
won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or
stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
To Use Anti-Lock
Use rear-wheel anti-lock like regular brakes. You may feel the brakes
vibrate, or
you may notice some noise outside your vehicle, but this is
normal. Let anti-lock work for
you, but remember: Your front wheels can
still stop rolling.
If that happens, release enough pressure on the brakes to
get the wheels rolling again
so that you can steer.
With the four-wheel drive option, you won't have anti-lock braking when
you shift into four-wheel drive. But you will have regular braking. When
you shift back into two-wheel drive, you
will have anti-lock again.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard
braking.
You have the rear-wheel anti-lock braking system.
Your front wheels can
stop rolling
when you brake very hard. Once they do, the vehicle can't
respond
to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it
was headed when the front wheels stopped rolling. That could be off the
road, into the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
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Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a
sign
up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your
pass.
A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross
a solid line on your
side of the lane or
a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re
awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces
your area of
vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle.
Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly
slows or stops. Keep back
a reasonable distance.
When
it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but
stay
in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move so you
will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane.
If the way is clear to pass,
you will have a “running start” that more
than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And
if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need only
slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But
take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you
as you pull out to pass
the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors
, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane
change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When
you
are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside
mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the
right lane. (Remember that
if your right outside mirror is convex, the
vehicle
you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it
really is.)
Try
not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads.
Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don’t overtake
a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing,
it may be slowing down or start
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver
ahead
of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right. ;ing to turn.
to get
Loss of Control
Let’s
review what driving experts say about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough
friction where
the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek
an
escape route or area of less danger.
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Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of
the best ways to control your vehicle is to control your speed. Here are some
things to keep in mind. At higher speeds:
you approach things faster and you have less time to scan the\
terrain for
obstacles.
0 you have less time to react.
0 you have more vehicle bounce when you drive over obstacles.
you’ll need more distance for braking, especially since you’re on an
unpaved surface.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds of terrain. You
need to be familiar with the terrain and its many different features. Here are
some things to consider.
Surface Conditions. Off-roading can take you over hard-packed dirt,
gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow or ice. Each of these surfaces affects
the steering, acceleration, and braking of your vehicle in different ways.
Depending upon the kind of surface you are on, you may experience
slipping, sliding, wheel spinning, delayed acceleration, poor tra\
ction, and
longer braking distances.
Surface Obstacles. Unseen or hidden obstacles can be hazardous. A rock,
log, hole, rut, or bump can startle you if you’re not prepared for them. Often
these obstacles
are hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even the rise and fall of
the terrain itself. Here
are some things to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
Does the travel take you uphill or downhill? (There’s more discussion\

Will you have to stop suddenly or change direction quickly?
of these subjects later.)
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When you drive over obstacles or rough terrain, keep a firm grip on the
steering wheel.
Ruts, troughs, or other surface features can jerk the wheel
out of your hands if you’re not prepared.
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 Off-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.
A CAUTION:
Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up
them, you will stall.
If you drive down them, you can’t control
yorrr speed. If you drive across them, you will roll over. You
could be seriously injured or killed.
If you have any doubt about
the steepness, don’t drive the hill.
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.
Oil 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.
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