1994 GMC SIERRA oil

Cold Weather Operation
In cold weather (below 20”F, or -7”C), use 1-D or “Winterized” Number
2-D fuel (a blend of I-D and 2-D). Be sure you get the right fuel. In very
cold temperatures (when
it stays below 0°F or -1 8OC), use Number 1-D.
If you’re driving in very cold temperatures and can’t get Number I-D or a
“winterized” Number
2-D, you can use one gallon of kerosene for every
two gallons
of diesel fuel. Once you add the kerosene, run your engine for
several minutes
so the fuels will mix. Add kerosene only when the
temperature falls below
0°F (-1 8” C), because the fuel economy of kerosene
isn’t
as good as that of diesel fuel.
NOTICE:
Never use home heating oil or gasoline in your diesel engine.
They can cause engine damage.
In cold weather, your fuel filter may become clogged (waxed), especially if
you use Number
2-D diesel fuel that hasn’t been “winterized.” To unclog it,
warm the filter to between 32°F and 50°F (0°C to 10°C). You won’t need
to replace
it.
Water in Fuel
Sometimes, water can be pumped into your fuel tank along with your diesel
fuel. This can happen
if a service station doesn’t regularly inspect and clean
its
fuel tanks, or if it gets contaminated fuel from its suppliers.
If this happens,
a “WATER IN FUEL” light will come on. If it does, the
excess water must be drained. Your dealer can do this
for you.
This light also should
come on briefly when
you start your engine,
as a check. If it
doesn’t, have it fixed
so it will be there to
let you know if you
ever
do get water in
your fuel.
L
6-7
ProCarManuals.com

1
I 4. With the engine
off, open the
water drain valve
2 to 3 turns.
When standing
in
front of the
vehicle, the valve
is located on the
right side of the
thermostat
housing.
5. Start the engine and allow it to idle until clear fuel is observed.
6. Stop the engine and close the water drain valve.
7. Remove the fuel-resistant container and properly dispose of the
contaminated
fuel. To find out how to properly dispose of contaminated
diesel fuel see “What to Do with Used
Oil” in the “Engine Oil (Diesel
Engines)” part, later
in this section.
8. Install the fuel tank cap.
If the WATER IN FUEL light comes on again after driving a short distance
or
the engine runs rough or stalls-a large amount of water has probably
been pumped into the fuel tank. The
fuel tank should be purged.
A CAUTION:
Diesel fuel containing water is still flammable. You could be
burned. If
you ever try to drain water from your fuel, keep
sparks, flames
and smoking materials away from the mixture.
6-9
ProCarManuals.com

9. Close the air bleed valve and replace the fuel cap.
10. Start your engine and let it idle for five minutes. Check your fuel filter
and air bleed valve for leaks.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do not use leaded gasoline.
If you use
even one tankful, your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode,
and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be damaged. All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business
in the country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel
Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
The fuel cap is behind
a hinged door on the
left side of your
vehicle.
/i CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns vioIently, and tha\
t
can cause very
bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline
or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
6-13
ProCarManuals.com

Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire.
These include liquids like gasoline or diesel fuel, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield washer and other fluids, and plastic or
rubber. You or others could be burned. Be careful not to drop or
I spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly. Pull down
the hood and close it firmly.
Cleaning Your Diesel Engine
NOTICE:
If you spray or pour water or any other liquid on your engine
when it is warm or hot, or when it is running,
you could cause
serious damage to it.
If you ever clean the engine, clean it only
when it is cold.
Noise Control System
The following information relates to compliance with Federal noise
emission standards for vehicles
with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of more than
10,000 pounds (4 536 kilograms). The Maintenance
Schedule booklet provides information on maintaining the noise control
system to minimize degradation
of the noise emission control system during
the life of your vehicle. The noise control system warranty
is given in your
Warranty hooklet.
These standards apply only to vehicles sold
in the United States.
6- 16
ProCarManuals.com

Tampering With Noise Control System Prohibited
Federal law prohibits the following acts or the causing thereof:
1 . The removal or rendering inoperative by any person, other than for
purposes
of maintenance, repair or replacement, of any device or
element
of design incorporated into any new vehicle for the purpose of
noise control, prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or
while
it is in use; or
2. The use of the vehicle after such device or element of design has been
removed or rendered inoperative by any person.
Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are the acts listed
below.
Insulation:
Removal of noise shields or underhood insulation.
Engine:
Removal or rendering engine speed governor (if so equipped)
inoperative
so as to allow engine speed to exceed manufacturer
specifications.
Fan and Drive:
Removal of fan clutch (if so equipped) or rendering clutch inoperative.
Removal of fan shroud (if so equipped).
Air Intake:
Removal of air cleaner silencer.
Reversing air cleaner cover.
Exhaust:
Removal of muffler and/or resonator.
Removal of exhaust pipes and exhaust pipe clamps.
Engine Oil (Except Diesel)
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.
ProCarManuals.com

I
I
I
To Check Engine Oil
Turn off the engine
and give the oil a few
minutes to drain back
into the
oil pan. If you
don’t, the oil dipstick
might
not show the
actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind of oil
to use.
For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
6-18
t I- ProCarManuals.com

The engine oil filler
cap is located on
the
driver’s side engine
valve cover.
Just
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back
in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst” symbol. The “starburst” symbol
indicates that
the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute
(API), and
is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
YOU should look for this on the front of the oil container, and use only oils
that display this new symbol.
6- 19
ProCarManuals.com

You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle, as shown in
the following chart:
LIGHT DUTY EMISSIONS -GAS ENGINES
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
F
tlOO -
+80 -
+60 -
+40 -
+20 -
0-
C
t 38
t 27
t 16
t4
-7
- 18
m LOOK
ONE OF THESE
LABELS
-- -1 -I SAE 1OW-30
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
5w-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
PREFERRED GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE SW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-1 8°C) or above. These
numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE lOW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
6-20
ProCarManuals.com