1994 GMC SIERRA Owners Manual

NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, headlight aim,
bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has dual wheels or LT26Y75R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains; they can damage your vehicle.
If you don’t have
dual wheels or
if you have a tire size other than LT265/75R16,
use tire chains only where legal and only when you must. Use
only SAE Class “S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle. Tighten them as
tightly
as possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast with chains on will damage your vehicle.
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Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame if you strike a match or get them on a hot
part of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your vehicle, be sure
to
follow the manufacturer's warnings and instructions. And always open your
doors or windows when you're cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some more than others - and they can all
damage your vehicle, too.
NOTICE:
Don't use any of these unless this manual says you can. In many
uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Laundry Soap
Bleach I
Reducing Agents
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Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or
leather with
a clean, damp cloth.
Your GM dealer has two
GM cleaners, a solvent-type spot lifter and a
foam-type powdered cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well.
Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
0 Clean up stains as soon as you can - before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area often. A soft
brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area only. If you use
them, don’t saturate the stained area.
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire area immediately or
it will
set.
Using Foam-Type CIeaner on Fabric
0 Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask surrounding trim
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the directions on the
along
stitch or welt
lines.
container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge to remove the
suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer or a heat lamp.
I NOTICE:
I Be careful with a hair dryer or heat lamp. You could scorch the I
fabric.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
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Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all. Some spots and
stains will clean off better
with just water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
0 Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with a clean, dull knife
or scraper. Use very little cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside
of the
stain, “feathering” toward the center. Keep changing to
a clean section
of the cloth.
0 When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry the area with an
air hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp
to help prevent a cleaning ring. (See
the previous NOTICE.)
Fabric Protection
Your vehicle has upholstery and trim carpet that has been treated with
Scotchgard
TM Fabric Protector, a 3M product. Scotchgard TM protects fabrics
by repelling oil and water, which are the carriers of most stains. Even with
this protection, you still need to clean your upholstery and trim carpet often
to keep
it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling 1-800-433-3296
(in Minnesota, 1-800-642-6 167).
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Such as grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe polish, coffee with cream,
chewing gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt.
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier.
0 Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed as soon as possible. Be careful,
because
the cleaner will dissolve them and may cause them to spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Such as catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, wine,
vomit, urine and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the soiled area with cool
water.
0 If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions described earlier.
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0 If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat the area with a
waterhaking soda solution: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to I cup
(250 ml) of lukewarm water.
0 If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Such as candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili sauce and unknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with cool water and allow
to dry.
0 If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You may have to do it
more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a mild solution of 10% isopropyl alcohol
(rubbing alcohol) and
90% water.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive cleaners, furniture
polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If dirt is allowed to work
into finish,
it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces of the instrument
panel. Sprays containing silicones or waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield and even make
it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
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Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM Part No. 1050427)
or a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal tobacco smoke and
dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may cause scratches.
Avoid placing decals
on the inside rear window, since they may have to be
scraped off later.
If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged. Any temporary
license should not be attached across the defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer, or if the
wiper blade chatters when running, wax or other material may be on the
blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with GM Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami
Powder@
(GM Part No. 105001 1). The windshield is clean if beads do not
form when
you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked
in full strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked
on a regular basis and replaced when worn.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth of color, gloss
retention and durability.
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Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it clean by washing
it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun. Don’t use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Use liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild
detergent) soaps. Don’t use cleaning agents that contain aci\
d or abrasives.
All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed \
to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois o\
r
a
100% cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter your veh\
icle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle may be necessary to
remove residue from the paint finish. You can get GM approved cleaning
products from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the
Index.)
Your GM manufactured vehicle may have
a “basecoatklearcoat” paint
finish. The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored basecoat.
Always use waxes and polishes that
are non-abrasive and made for a
basecoatlclearcoat paint finish.
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a
basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the finish or leave swi\
rl
marks.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep their l\
uster. Washing with water is all that is usually needed. However, you may use
GM Chrome
Polish on chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging protective trim,
never use auto or chrome polish, steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum.
A coating of
wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all bright
metal parts.
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Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Your aluminum wheels have a protective coating similar to the painted
surface
of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps, chemicals, chrome polish,
abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage this coating. After rinsing thoroughly, a wax may be applied.
NOTICE:
If you have aluminum wheels, don’t use an automatic vehicle
wash that has hard silicon carbide cleaning brushes. These
brushes can take
off the protective coating.
White Side wall Tires
Your GM dealer has a GM White Sidewall Tire Cleaner. You can use a stiff
brush with the cleaner.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak. Apply silicone grease with
a clean cloth at least every
six months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent application may
be required. (See “Recommended Fluids
& Lubricants” in the Index.)
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement,
make sure
the body repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to the parts
repaired or replaced
to restore corrosion protection.
Foreign Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter
can damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain on painted surfaces. Use
cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish should be repaired
right away. Bare metal will corrode quickly and may develop into a major
repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up materials available
from your dealer or other service outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can
be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
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