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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
See “Driving on Grades”
in the Index.
If
you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute
or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving
- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a) or
DRIVE
(D).
window as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower
for about ten minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign
of steam, push the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice
as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the engine speed back to
normal idle speed after two or three minutes. Now see
if the warning stops.
But then, if you still have the warning, turn @‘the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be
lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the
filler neck until the level reaches the base
of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure if
coolant begins to flow out of the filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
Be sure the arrows on the pressure cap line
up like this.
Engine Fan Noise
This 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 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 when the clutch
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 sh
It is merely the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow
down when additional cooling is not required and the clutch disengage .ifts.
S.
You may
also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Spare Tire
Your spare tire is
stored underneath the
rear
of your vehicle.
You will use the
ratchet and extension
to lower the spare tire.
1 NOTICE:
Never remove or restow a tire frodto a stowage position under
the vehicle while the vehicle is supported by a
jack. Always
tighten the tire fully against the underside
of the vehicle when
restowing.
The ratchet has an UP
side.
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Page 204 of 342
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Put on the spare tire.
Put the nuts
on by
hand. Make sure the
cone-shaped end
is
toward the wheel.
Tighten each nut by
hand until the wheel
is
held against the hub.
c If a nut can't be turned
by hand, use the
extension
and see your
dealer as soon
as
possible.
Lower the vehicle by
turning the ratchet
counterclockwise.
Lower the jack
completely.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine And don’t mix your compact spare or wheel with other wheels or tires. They
won’t fit. Keep your spare and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using them will
damage your vehicle and destroy the chains too. Don’t use tire
chains on your compact spare.
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels
too fast. The method known as “rocking” can help you get out when you’re
stuck, but
you must use caution.
I A CAUTION:
I 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
transmission back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle, see “Tire Chains”
in the Index.
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 REVERSE
(R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release
the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries,
you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine YOU should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the
date of any service work
you perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the
Index.
I NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about it, your vehicle could be damaged.
Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. Use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at
9 1 octane or higher for high power performance,
when towing a trailer
or with a high payload requirement. But when
operating with a light load as a normal condition, you may use middle grade
or regular unleaded gasolines.
The gasoline you use should meet specifications ASTM
D48 14 in the
United States and CGSB
3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should have the
proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity,
see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the pro\
per
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back in when you’re through.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol. Failure \
to
use the proper oil can result in engine damage not covered by\
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additr’ves
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop and
important
when outside temperatures are below freezing.
go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil
and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first.
If
none of them is true, change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles (12 500
km) or 12 months - whichever comes first.
Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather,
0 OF (-1 8 O C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater’’ in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer? Don’t
let used oil stay
on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. (See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.)
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