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These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:
Engine Coolant
Temperature Battery Charging
System
I I RELEASE I
Brake Parking Brake
Release
0
SHIFT
Shift Light
Here are some other symbols you may see:
Fuse
Fuel
Hood Release Lighter
I
Engine Oil
Pressure
Low Coolant
I Horn
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4. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking, turn the
ignition key to
OFF. Wait one minute for the starter to. cool, then try
the
same steps again.
If you’re trying
to start your engine after you’ve run out of fuel, follow the
steps in “Running Out of Fuel” (see “Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel
System” in the Index).
When your engine
is cold, let it run for a few minutes before you move your
vehicle. This lets oil pressure build up. Your engine will sound louder
when
it’s cold.
I NOTICE:
If you’re not in an idling vehicle and the engine overheats, you
wouldn’t be there to see the coolant temperature gage. This \
could damage your vehicle. Don’t let your engine run when
you’re not
in your vehicle.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel Engine)
The following tips will help you get good starting in cold weather.
Use
SAE 1OW-30 oil when the outside temperature drops below freezing.
When the outside temperature drops below
0°F (- 1 SOC), use your engine
coolant heater.
If you park your vehicle
in a garage, you shouldn’t need to use the coolant
heater
until the garage temperature goes below 0°F (-18OC), no matter how
cold it is outside.
To use the engine coolant heater, first turn off the engine. Then open the
hood, unwrap the electrical cord and plug it in. It uses normal house voltage
(I 10 volts), but:
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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.
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If the light comes on and then goes off and you know your batteries are
charged, but your engine still
won’t start, your vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come on when
the engine is cold, your vehicle needs
service.
If your batteries don’t have enough charge to start your engine, see
“Battery”
in the Index.
Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that you’ve changed the
oil at the proper times.
If you use the wrong oil, your engine may be harder
to start.
If
the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your vehicle needs service.
1 A CAUTION:
Do not use gasoline or starting “aids,” such as ether, in the air
intake.
They could damage your engine. There could also be a
fire, which could cause serious personal injury.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
In very cold weather, 0°F (-I 8°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can
help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
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To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt outlet.
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the \
cord as
it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you
don’t, it could be 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.
Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact a GM
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice
for that particular area.
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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.
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Oil Pressure Gage
Standard Cluster -Gas Standard Cluster -Diesel
30
I
Tachometer Cluster -Gas Tachometer Cluster -Diesel
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds per
square inch) when the engine
is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure
in kPa (kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and
oil viscosity, but readings above the low pressure
zone indicate the normal operating range.
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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.
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