
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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;
0 Shift into a gear; and
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 transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, 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 Lighting Systems Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
4-47

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:
0 Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high speed driving.
0 Idle for long periods in traffic.
e 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. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the
window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving
- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) or
DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions.
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 oflthe 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.
ici
5-14
When you decide it's
safe to lift the hood,
here's what you'll
see:
A. Coolant recovery
B. Radiator pressure C. Engine fan tank
cap

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1
6. Start the engine
and let it
run until
you can feel'the
upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the
engine fan.
7. By this time the coolant level inside the filler neck may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the filler neck unt\
il
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 clutc\
h is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide more air to cool the engine. \
In most every day
driving conditions the clutch
is not engaged. This improves fuel economy
and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer tow\
ing 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 shifts. It is merely \
the
cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow down when
additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch disengages.
5-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to get the
proper
GM Service Manual. It tells you much more about how to service
your vehicle than this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service Publications” in the Index.
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 91 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.
6-2 0

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 Additives
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:
0 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 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or off-road frequently.
0 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.
6-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 parts, starting a fire. Be \
sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your transmission flui\
d.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To 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 transmissionfluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C).
If it's colder than 50°F ( lO"C), drive the vehicle in THIRD GEAR (D) until
the engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmissionfluid cold: A cold check is rnaae 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. Keep the engine running.
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in Park (P).
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 Park (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
6- 15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Headlamps
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in the light switch. An
electrical overload will cause the lights to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain
off. If this happens, have your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit breaker and a fuse. If
the motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the
motor cools. If the overload is caused by some electrical problem and not
snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is too heavy, the cir\
cuit breaker
opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The optional seven-wire trailer wiring harness is protected by an in-line
fuse in the battery feed wire. This fuse is near the junction block in the
front, driver’s side fender. See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the
Features &
Controls section.
Fuse B/ock
The fuse block is in
the instrument panel
on the driver’s side.
Remove the cover by
turning the fastener
counterclockwise.
Then you can remove
fuses with a fuse
extractor. Extra fuses
are provided in the
cover.
6-61

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Schedule I Definition I
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly
important when outside temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving \
in stop and
go traffic).
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or off-road frequently.
0 You frequently two a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle.
Schedule
I should also be followed if the vehicle is used for delivery
service, police, taxi, or other commercial application.
I Schedule / Intervals I
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Months
Engine Oil and Filter Change
Chassis Lubrication
Drive Axle Service
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every 12,000 Miles (25 000
km)
Tire Rotation
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions
Front Wheel Bearing Repack
(2WD Only)
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Spark Plug Replacement
Fuel Filter Replacement
Cooling System Service (or every
24 months)
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
Automatic Transmission Service (severe conditions)
7-4