Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains,
electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the
trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets
you check your electrical connection at
the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help
you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to
go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, just move that hand to the
left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to
the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible?
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. The green arrows
on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lights will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash
for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally
to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
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9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection
is just as
good there, but the chance
of sparks getting back to the battery is much
less.
10. :Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for
awhile.
1 1. ‘Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs service.
.Remove Cables in this Order:
2 3 1. Heavy Metal
Engine Part
2. Good Battery
(-)
3. Good Battery (+)
4. Dead Battery (+)
12. :Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical shorting.
‘Take care that
they don’t touch each other or any other metal.
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have your GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your
vehicle. They can provide the right equipment and know how to tow
it
without damage.
If your vehicle has been changed since
it was factory-new, by adding such
things like fog lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these things
coulcl be damaged during towing.
Befolre you do anything,
turn on the hazard warning flashers.
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A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you’d use in
a skid. In any rear blowout, remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and
noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well \
off the road if
possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use your jac\
king equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a
level place. Turn
on your hazard warning flashers.
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Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear.
If 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.
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 Hems
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 Bearings
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.
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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DIESEL ENGINES - MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE yf
20 Air Intake System InspectionAB t t
21 Thermostatically Controlled Engine
Cooling Fan CheckAW-Every
t t
12 Months or
Inspection*
22 Exhaust Pressure Regulator Valve
23 Tire and Wheel Rotation**
t
24 Drive Axle Service** t t t +
25 Brake Systems Inspection**
A Change filter every 15,000 miles (24 000 km), except when op\
erating
in dusty
conditions. Dusty conditions may require more frequent filter re\
placement. Extreme
dust and dirt operating conditions (off-road), may require the air \
filter to be checked as
often as every 300 miles (483 km) and replaced as necessary.
* An Emission Control Service
** See “Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services” in this section.
A A Noise Emission Control Service
1 Applicable only to vehicles sold in the United States
t This maintenance schedule applies to all diesel engines available.
T0408/T0908
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5. AIR CLEANER FILTER REPLACEMENT* - Replace at every
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or more often under dusty conditions. Ask
your dealer for the proper replacement intervals for your driving
conditions.
6. 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.
7. TRANSMISSION SERVICE’/-
Automatic Transmission
- Change the transmission fluid and filter
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) for vehicles under 8,600 GVWR or
every 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) for vehicles over 8,600 GVWR if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic.
0 Where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
higher.
Frequent
trailer pulling.
Uses such as taxi, police, delivery or other commercial service.
If the vehicle
is not used mainly under any of these conditions, change
the fluid and filter every
30,000 miles (50 000 km) for vehicles under
8,600
GVWR or every 24,000 miles (40 000 km) for vehicles over
8,600 GVWR see “Automatic Transmission Fluid”
in the Index for
more information.
Manual Transmission - Transmission fluid does not require periodic
changing.
8. CDRV SYSTEM INSPECTION* - Check the Crankcase
Depression Regulator Valve System for any worn, plugged or collapsed
hoses. Have the system checked as described in the Service Manual.
9. FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT*$ - Replace the fuel filter at the
specified interval or sooner if clogged.
?A fluid loss
in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them
inspected and repaired at once.
:i: An Emission Control Service
$The California Air Resources Board bas determined that the failure to
perform this maintenance item will not
nullify the emission warranty or
limit recall liability prior to the completion
of the vehicle useful life.
General Motors, however, urges that all recommended maintenance
services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded.
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24. DRIVE AXLE SERVICE? - Check readfront axle fluid level and
add
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals for
leaking.
0
0
0
0
Locking differential - Drain fluid at first oil change and refill.
Check fluid level and add
as needed at subsequent oil changes. In
dusty areas, or trailer towing applications drain fluid at every
15,000 miles (24 135 kilometers) and refill.
Standard differential - Check fluid level and add as needed at
every
oil change. In dusty areas, or trailer towing applications,
drain fluid every
15,000 miles (24 I35 kilometers) and refill.
More frequent lubrication may be required on heavy-duty or
off-road use.
3500 HD Models - 3500 HD Models with applications requiring
extreme overload/trdiler tow conditions
and high speed conditions
(above 45 mph (72
kdh)) for extended periods of time must
change drive axle fluid every
3,000 miles (4828 kilometers) or 3
months, whichever comes first, OR must use 75W-140 synthetic
fluid meeting
GM specifications. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” at the end of this section for the proper fluid to use.
25.
BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTION-f - When the engine oil is
changed, inspect the lines and hoses for proper hookup, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Check the parking brake adjust, and the fluid level
in the master cylinder. A low fluid level can indicate worn disc brake
pads which may need
to be serviced.
When the wheels are removed for rotation, inspect disc brake pads for
wear and rotors for surfxe condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including drums, wheel
cylinders, parking brake, etc., at the same time. Remove any
rust or dirt
from the wheel and mounting surfaces before mounting the wheel.
Inspect brakes more often if driving habits or conditions result in
frequent braking.
?A fluid loss in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them
inspected and repaired at once.
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Steering and Suspension Inspection? - Inspect front and rear suspension
and steering system for damaged, loose
or missing parts, signs of wear or
lack
of lubrication. Inspect power steering lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Lubricate the steering linkage.
Accelerator Control System - On gasoline engines, lubricate the pivot at
the
TBI throttle lever stud with engine oil. Do not oil any accelerator or
cruise control cables. Replace any cables that have high effort
or excessive
wear.
Exhaust System Inspection - Inspect the complete system including the
three-way catalytic converter. Inspect the body near the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged, missing or out-of-position parts,
as well as,
open seams, holes, loose connections or other conditions which could cause
a heat buildup in
the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes seep into the
passenger compartments.
Drive Axle Service? - Check readfront axle fluid level and add as needed.
Check constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
I-- ~ lsfer Case (Four-wheel Drive) Inspection? - Every 12 months or at
oil change intervals, check front axle and transfer case and add lubricant
when necessary. Oil the control lever pivot point and all exposed control
linkage. Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and proper installation.
More frequent lubrication may be required
on heavy-duty or off-road use.
?'A fluid loss in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them inspected
and repaired at once.
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