1994 GMC SIERRA tires

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure
because
it affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle. The gross vehicle
weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo
you may
carry
in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will
tow
a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the
Index for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a
“weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the
total loaded trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately,
to see if the weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to
get them right simply by moving some items around
in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find
these numbers
on the Certification label at the rear edge of the driver’s door
or
see “Tire Loading” in the Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the
GVW limit for your vehicle.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going
by, and rough roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules
to follow:
0 If you use a step bumper hitch, and your trailer tongue has a V-shaped
foot, your bumper could be damaged in sharp turns. Check the distance
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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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..I . ... . ;. ..
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster
to provide more air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions
the fan is spinning slower and clutch is not fully engaged.
This improves fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as
the clutch more fully engages. So you may hear an increase in
fan noise. This is normal and should not be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling system functioning
properly. The fan will slow down when additional cooling is not required
and
the clutch partially disengages.
You may also hear
this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as
the fan clutch partially disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s UfluSual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak
out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,’’ here are a few tips
about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well
out of the traffic lane.
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Jack Storage
Your jack and wheel ratchet are behind the passenger seat. Turn the wing
nut to the left and remove the cover if there is one.
Spare Tire Storage-Underbody Carrier
Remember, never remove or restow a tire from or to a stowage position
under the vehicle while the vehicle is supported only by a
jack.
Spare Tire
Your spare tire may be
mounted underneath
the rear
of the vehicle,
OR;
it may be mounted to
the inside
of the truck
bed on the driver’s
side.
If you have a chassis cab, refer to the information from the body
supplier/installer.
The spare tire is
a full size tire, like the other tires on your vehicle.
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NOTICE:
~ ~ ~~ ~~
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your vehicle as well\
as
the tires. If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting your back
and forth, you can destroy your
.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear the area around
your front wheels. Then shift back and forth between
“R’ (Reverse) and a
forward gear (or with a manual
, between First or Second gear and Reverse),
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the\
is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. Or,
you can use your recovery hooks,
if your vehicle has them. If you do need
to be towed out, see “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Using the Recovery Hooks
If you ever get stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, your vehicle may be
equipped with recovery hooks. The recovery hooks are provided at the front
of your vehicle. You may need to use them
if you’re stuck off-road and
need to be pulled to some place where you can continue drivin\
g.
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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
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. If you have a
C 3500 HD model, it has four-wheel disc 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).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well. That could lead to an accident.
When
you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
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.
If
you have rear drum brakes, they 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 Travel
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.
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