1994 GMC SIERRA maintenance

INTRODUCTION
1994 GMC Sierra Owner’s Manual
Welcome
This manual was prepared to acquaint you with the operation and
maintenance of your
1994 GMC Sierra and to provide important safety
information. There
is also a GMC Truck Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information booklet. In some vehicles, there can
be information manuals
from other manufacturers like body builders or special equipment
companies. We urge you
to review all these publications carefully. This will
help you enjoy safe and trouble-free operation
of your vehicle.
When it comes to service, keep in mind that your dealer knows your vehicle
best and is interested
in your complete satisfaction. Your dealer invites you
to return for all of your service needs both during and after the warranty
period.
Remember,
if you have a concern and need help handling it to your
satisfaction,
see the procedure in the GMC Truck Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information booklet.
Thanks for choosing a GMC Truck product. We value you as a member
of
the GMC Truck family. We want to assure you of our continuing interest in
your pleasure and satisfaction with your vehicle.
GMC Truck Division
General Motors Corporation
Pontiac, Michigan
@Copyright
1993 General Motors Corporation, GMC Truck Division.
All Rights Reserved
Second Edition
I
Printed in U.S.A.
ProCarManuals.com

Table of Contents
Introduction - How to Use this Manual
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety
and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.
Section 1 - Seats and Safety Restraints
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety restraints
properly.
Section 2 - Features & Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your Vehicle.
Section 3 - Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort
controls and how to operate your audio system.
Section 4 - Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and
how to drive under different conditions.
Section 5 - Problems on the Road
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while
driving, such as
a flat tire or engine overheating.
Section 6 - Service & Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Vehicle running
properly and looking good.
Section 7- Schedule Maintenance Services
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Section 8 - Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact your GM division for
assistance and
how to get service publications. It also gives you
information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-4.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in th\
is
manual. You can use
it to quickly find something you want to read.
iv
ProCarManuals.com

How to Use This Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they
first receive their new vehicle. This will help you learn about the features
and controls for- your vehicle.
In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and
words work together to explain things quickly.
INDEX: A good place to look for what you need is the Index in back of the
manual. It’s an alphabetical list
of all that’s in the manual, and the page
number where you’ll find
it.
SECTION 1-6: Each section of this manual begins with a brief list of its
contents,
so you can often find at a glance if a section contains the
information you want.
SECTION 7: This section of the manual covers the maintenance required
for your vehicle.
SECTION 8 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE: This section includes
important information about reporting safety defects and gives you details
about the “Roadside Assistance” program. You will also find customer
satisfaction phone numbers (including customer satisfaction numbers for the
hearing and speech impaired)
as well as the mediation/arbitration procedure.
We’ve also included ordering information for service publications in this
part.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box with
gray background and
the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could
hurt
you if you were to ignore the warning.
A CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt you or other
people.
In the gray caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you
what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions.
If
you don’t, you or others could be hurt.
You will also
find a circle with a slash through it in this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’ “Don’t
do this,” or “Don’t let this happen.’’
V
ProCarManuals.com

SEEK Button
To search for the next selection on the tape, press the SEEK button. The
light in the
SEEK button will be lit and the player will seek the beginning
of the next selection. For the seek mode to stop at the next selection, there
must be at least a 4-second gap between selections on the tape.
REV Button
To rapidly rewind the tape, press the REV button. The light in the button
will be lit and the tape will rapidly rewind
until you press the PROG button
or press the
REV buuon again. If the beginning of the tape is reached while
in the
REV mode, play will resume on the same side of the tape.
REPT Button
Press the REPT button to repeat the currently playing selection on the tape.
For the
REPT mode to repeat a selection, there must be at least a 4-second
gap between selections
on the tape.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can result in reduced sound
quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged player mechanism. Cassette tapes
should be stored
in their plastic cases away from contaminants, direct
sunlight, and extreme heat.
If they aren’t, they may not operate properly or
cause failure
of the tape player.
As regular maintenance, your tape player should be cleaned each month or
after every
15 hours of use. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a
known good cassette to see
if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If this
other cassette has no improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player.
Clean your tape player with a
wiping-action,
non-abrasive cleaning
cassette, and follow
the directions
provided with
it.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time.
Always make sure that the cassette tape is
in good condition before you
have your tape player serviced.
3-20
ProCarManuals.com

Driving Guidelines
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-wheel Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel drive.
Also, see “Anti-lock Brakes”
in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive, you shouldn’t drive off-road
unless you’re on
a level, solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great
fun. But it does have some definite hazards.
The greatest of these is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the great North American road system
behind. Traffic lanes aren’t marked. Curves aren’t banked. There are
no
road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill. In short,
you’ve gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s
why it’s very
important that you read this guide. You’ll find many driving tips and
suggestions. These will help make your off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For example, be sure to have
all necessary maintenance and service work done. Be sure you read
all the
information about your four-wheel drive vehicle
in this manual. Is there
enough fuel? Is the spare tire
fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up where
they should be? What are the local laws that apply
to off-roading where
you’ll
be driving’? If you don’t know, you should check with law
enforcement people
in the area. Will you be on someone’s private land‘? If
so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about how to load your
vehicle.
0 The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your
rear axle. Put heavier items as far forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain
doesn’t toss things around.
4- 13
ProCarManuals.com

After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the underbody, chassis or
under the hood. These accumulations can be
a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand, have the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the body
structure, steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust system for
damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to off-road use. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired
- by alcohol or drugs. with night vision
problems,
or by fatigue.
Here are some tips
on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
a Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlights
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
space between you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light
up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
4-24
ProCarManuals.com

A 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
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle
won’t move, even 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 Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 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 Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic
fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment. 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.
Trailer Light Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
4-44
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Things Under the Hood (continued)
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................. 6-45
Brake Master Cylinder
................................... 6-46
Replacing Brake System Parts
................................ 6-49
Other Maintenance Items
.................................... 6-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Inserts
.............................. 6-50
FluidLeakCheck
.......................................... 6-51
Lubrication
............................................... 6-51
Battery .................................................. 6-52
Vehiclestorage
......................................... 6-52
Bulb Replacement
......................................... 6-53
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
.................................. 6-62
Exhaustsystem
........................................... 6-64
Loading Your Vehicle
...................................... 6-64
Tires .................................................... 6-71
Inflation-Tire Pressure
.................................. 6-71
Tire Inspection and Rotation
............................... 6-73
When it’s Time for New Tires
............................. 6-74
Buying New Tires
....................................... 6-76
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
............................. 6-77
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
......................... 6-78
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 6-78
Tire Chains
............................................ 6-79
Appearancecare
.......................................... 6-80
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
......................... 6-81
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle ....................... 6-84
Appearance Care Materials
.................................. 6-87
Vehicle Identification Number
................................ 6-88
Service Parts Identification
Label ............................. 6-90
Specifications Charts
..................................... 6-91
6-2
ProCarManuals.com