1994 GMC SIERRA transmission fluid

What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check
your mirrors and your instruments frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area
and take a nap, get some exercise, or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway
as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or
rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're planning to visit there,
here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. (See
"Off-Road Driving" in the Index for information about driving off-road.)
0 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. These parts can work
hard
on mountain roads.
0 Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this:
let your engine do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear
when you go down
a steep or long hill.
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.-. -1 To remove the air
cleaner filter on
a gas
engine or a 6.5 liter
naturally aspirated
diesel,
turn the wing
nuts to the left.
Remove the cover and
change the filter.
Then, unhook the
cover retaining clips
and push the rear
of
the cover toward the
engine.
Automatic Transmission Nuid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at
a GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be SLIK to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
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I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting
a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading
if you check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
IU get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating
temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check trunsmissioltfluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (1 0°C).
If it’s colder than
50°F (lO”C), drive the vehicle in “D” (3rd Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow
the hot check procedures.
To check trmzsnzissiorz jZuid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours
or more with the engine off and is used only as a
reference. Let
the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures
are
50°F ( 10°C) or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a cold check,
you must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in “P” (Park).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each
gear range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then,
position
the shift lever in “P’ (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission
fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add
only enough of the proper fluid to bring the
level up to the COLD area for a cold check or the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much tluid, generally less than a pint. Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON@-111 or DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON@-Ill or
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to
Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the fluid
in your manual transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a
GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get
a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if
you check your transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission is cool enough for you to rest your fingers
on the transmission case.
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When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule
to determine how
often you should
check
the fluid level
in your clutch master
cylinder reservoir and
for the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
How to check
The proper fluid should be ridded if the level does not reach the bottom of
the diaphragm when it’s
in place in the reservoir. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
Hydraulic Clutch Grease Fitting
If you have a five speed manual transmission with deep low (RPO MT8), a
grease fitting is located on the clutch housing for lubricating the clutch fork
ball stud. See your Maintenance Schedule for when to lubricate the clutch
housing. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index for the
proper lubricant to
use.
Be sure not to over-fill because you could damage your clutch.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
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Explanation Of Scheduled Mainienance Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in the maintenance charts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in this section. Make sure
whoever services your vehicle uses these. All parts should be replaced and
all necessary repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
1. ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGE“‘ - ALWAYS USE
SJ3 ENERGY CONSERVING I1 (GASOLINE ENGINE) OR CF-4/SH
(DIESEL ENGINE) QUALITY OILS
OF THE PROPER VISCOSITY.
To determine the preferred viscosity oil for your vehicle’s engine (e.g.
SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30), see “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
2. CHASSIS LUBRICATION - Lubricate the front suspension, king
pin bushings, steering linkage, transmission, and transfer case shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear driveline center splines and
front axle propshaft splines, brake pedal springs, and clutch pedal
springs at the intervals specified.
If you have a 3500
HD, lubricate the king pins and king pin bushings,
every
1,500 miles (2500 km) for Maintenance Schedule I, or every
3,000 (5000 km) for Maintenance Schedule 11.
Ball joints and king pin bushings should not be lubricated unless their
temperature
is 10” F (-12”C), or higher. When the weather is cold, let
them warm up before lubrication or
they could be damaged.
Also, be sure
to check all the vehicle fluid levels at this time.
3.
CLUTCH FORK BALL STUD LUBRICATION (5-SPEED
MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH DEEP LOW
) - Lubricate the
clutch fork ball stud through the fitting
on the clutch housing.
Lubricant must be added “sparingly” to
the fitting, as only .0066 lb.
(.003 kg) is required to lubricate the ball stud surface. Do not add
lubricant more often than the intervals
in the Maintenance Charts. Too
much lubricant will damage the clutch assembly.
4. COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE”’? - Drain, flush and refill system
with new coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
the proper
coolant and mixture to use
in your vehicle.
Also inspect the hoses and replace them
if they are cracked, swollen, or
deteriorated. Tighten all hose clamps (except constant tension clamps).
Remove debris and clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the radiator neck.
To ensure proper
operation, pressure test.
the radiator and cap.
* An Emission Control Service
?A fluid
loss in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them
inspected and repaired at once.
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5. AIR CLEANER FILTER REPLACEMENT* - Replace at every
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or more often under dusty conditions. Ask
your dealer for the proper replacement intervals for your driving
conditions.
6. FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPACK (2-WHEEL DRIVE
ONLY)
- Clean and repack the front wheel bearings at each brake
relining, or at
the specified interval, whichever comes first.
7. TRANSMISSION SERVICE’/-
Automatic Transmission
- Change the transmission fluid and filter
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) for vehicles under 8,600 GVWR or
every 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) for vehicles over 8,600 GVWR if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic.
0 Where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
higher.
Frequent
trailer pulling.
Uses such as taxi, police, delivery or other commercial service.
If the vehicle
is not used mainly under any of these conditions, change
the fluid and filter every
30,000 miles (50 000 km) for vehicles under
8,600
GVWR or every 24,000 miles (40 000 km) for vehicles over
8,600 GVWR see “Automatic Transmission Fluid”
in the Index for
more information.
Manual Transmission - Transmission fluid does not require periodic
changing.
8. CDRV SYSTEM INSPECTION* - Check the Crankcase
Depression Regulator Valve System for any worn, plugged or collapsed
hoses. Have the system checked as described in the Service Manual.
9. FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT*$ - Replace the fuel filter at the
specified interval or sooner if clogged.
?A fluid loss
in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them
inspected and repaired at once.
:i: An Emission Control Service
$The California Air Resources Board bas determined that the failure to
perform this maintenance item will not
nullify the emission warranty or
limit recall liability prior to the completion
of the vehicle useful life.
General Motors, however, urges that all recommended maintenance
services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded.
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Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be made at the
time period specified to help ensure proper safety, emission performance,
and dependability
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once. Whenever any fluids
or lubricants are added to your vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones,
as shown
in this Section.
At Least Once a Month
Tire inflation pressure check - Check the tires for proper inflation. If
they are low, inflate them to the level specified on the Certification/Tire
label. See “Loading Your Vehicle” or “Inflation-Tire Pressure”
in the Index.
At Least Once a Year
Key lock cylinder lubrication - Lubricate key lock cylinders with engine
oil. See
the “Recommended Fluid and Lubricants” chart in this section.
Transmission neutral or clutch start switch operation -
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the manual parking brake and the regular brake. See
“Brakes” and “Parking Brake”
in the Index. Do not use the accelerator
pedal.
3. Be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
4. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the engine in each gear.
The starter should work only
in “P’ (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in “N” (Neutral), push
the clutch down halfway, and try to start the engine. The starter should work
only when the clutch
is pushed down all the way to the floor.
Steering column lock operation - While parked, try to turn the key to
LOCK in each gear shift position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should
turn to LOCK only when
the gear shift
is in “P” (Park).
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