1994 GMC SIERRA check oil

NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the cord in
the manner it was, to help keep it away from moving engine
parts.
If you don’t, it could be torn and damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends on the weather,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Follow this chart.
Engine Coolant Heater Usage
Viscosity/ 32°F
to 0°F
Oil Grade
(OOC to -1SOC)
SAE
1 OW-30
SAE
I5W-40
Not
Required
Not
Required
0°F to -10°F
(-18” C to -23 O C)
Two
Hours*
Two
Hours*
Below -10°F
Below -23 ” C
Eight Hours* or Overnight
Eight Hours”: or Overnight
*The times listed are minimum times. It
will not harm either the coolant
heater or the vehicle
to leave the coolant heater plugged in longer than the
times stated.
For best results
in cold weather, use Number I-D diesel fuel or a
“winterized” Number 2-D fuel.
lf Your Diesel Engine Won’t Start
If you’ve run out of fuel, look at “Running Out of Fuel” (see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the Index).
If you’re not out of fuel, and your engine won’t start, do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. Make sure that the “GLOW PLUGS” light
is out. Then turn the ignition key to START.
If the light doesn’t go off, wait a few seconds, then try starting your engine
again. And, see
your dealer as soon as you can for a starting system check.
2- 18
ProCarManuals.com

Check Gages Light
The orange Check
Gages light is located
near the lower right
corner
of the
instrument cluster.
This light
will come on briefly when you are starting the engine. If the light
comes
on and stays on while you are driving. it could indicate a problem
with your vehicle. It could be a problem with your oil pressure, coolant
temperature. or some other problem. Chcck your various gages
to see if they
are
in the warning zones. If they are, have your vehicle serviced right away.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Indicator Light
(Canada Only)
The green Daytime
Running Lights
(DRL) Indicator light,
if you have one, is
located near the upper
center
of the
instrument cluster.
If your vehicle was first sold. when new. in Canada, you will have this green
lighl on the instrument pancl.
It will light whenever the Daytime Running
Lights
are on. For more details about DRL, sce "Headlights and Vehicle
Lighting'.
in this section.
2-75
ProCarManuals.com

A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerously low oil
level
or other problem causing low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as
possible.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be
costly and
is not covered by your warranty.
2-81
ProCarManuals.com

Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend
to
think you are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh
- such as after a day’s work - don’t plan to make too many
miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to go.
If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts
in Vehicle
dealerships all across
North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if
you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape‘?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
0 Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean‘?
0 Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance driving‘? Are the tires all inflated
to the
recommended pressure‘?
0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip
a short time to avoid a major storm system?
0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about
an easy stretch of road with the same scenery,
along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you! If
it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a
second, and you could crash and be injured.
4-30
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

Service & Appearance Care
Section
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle . This section
begins with service and fuel information. and then it shows how to check
important fluid and lubricant levels
. There is also technical information
about your vehicle. and a section devoted to its appearance care
.
Service ................................................... 6-3
Fuel (Gasoline Engines)
...................................... 6-4
Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
...................... 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............................. 6-15
HoodRelease
.......................................... 6-15
Cleaning Your Diesel Engine
.............................. 6-16
Noise Control System .................................... 6-16
Engine Oil (Except Diesel)
................................ 6-17
Engine Oil (Diesel Engines)
............................... 6-24
iri
Air Cleaner ............................................ 6-29
Automatic Fluid ........................................ 6-30
ManualFluid
........................................... 6-33
Hydraulic Clutch
........................................ 6-34
RearAxle ............................................. 6-35
mnsfer Case
.......................................... 6-36
FrontAxle
............................................. 6-37
Engine Coolant
......................................... 6-38
Power Steering Fluid
.................................... 6-43
6-1
ProCarManuals.com

Fuel Requirements
NOTICE:
Diesel fuel or fuel additives not recommended in this manual
could damage your fuel system and engine. Your warranty
wouldn’t cover this damage. And:
Diesel fuel that has been mixed with engine oil could damage
your engine and emission controls. Always check with your
service station operator to make sure his diesel fuel has not
been mixed with engine oil.
If you ever run out of diesel fuel, it can be difficult to restart
your engine. “Running Out of Fuel,” later in this section, tells
you how to get it started again.
To avoid all this, try never to
let your tank get empty.
What Fuel to Use
For best results, use number 2-D diesel fuel year-round (above and below
freezing conditions) as oil companies blend number
2-D fuel to address
climate differences. Number
1-D diesel fuel may be used in below freezing
weather, however, it will produce a power and
fuel economy loss. The use
of number
1-D diesel fuel in warm or hot climates may result in stalling,
poor starting when the engine
is hot and may damage the fuel injection
system.
Diesel fuel may foam when you fill your tank. This can cause the automatic
pump nozzle to shut off, even though your tank isn’t full. If this happens,
just wait for the foaming to stop and then continue to
fill your tank.
A CAUTION:
Heat coming from the engine may cause the fuel to expand and
force the fuel out of your tank. If something ignites the fuel,
a
fire could start and people could be burned. To help avoid this,
fill your fuel tank only until the automatic nozzle shuts
off.
Don’t try to “top it off.”
6-6
ProCarManuals.com

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