Q: Is there anything I might add to the front of the vehicle that could
keep the air bag from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle's frame, bumper
system. front end sheet metal or height. they may keep the air
bag
system f'rom working properly. Also. the air bag system may not work
properly
if you relocate any of the air bag sensors. If you have any
question about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before
you modify your vehicle. (The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are
in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure
in this manual. See "Customer Satistiaction Procedure" in
the Index.)
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all
occupants. they are more likely to be seriously injured if they don't wear
safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt. and the lap portion
should be worn
as low as possible throughout the pregnancy.
The best way
to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt
is worn properly, it's more likely that the fetus won't be hurt
in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key
to making safety belts effective is
wearing them properly.
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NOTICE:
Driving in the 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or 4-WHEEL LOW (4,)
positions for a long time on dry or wet pavement could shorten
the life of your vehicle’s drivetrain.
NOTICE:
Changing your vehicle’s body height can damage your vehicle’s
suspension, drivetrain, or other vehicle components. It
may also
affect the
way your vehicle handles, and the function of your
vehicle’s safety features.
Do not change your vehicle’s height
from the original design specifications.
Transfer Case
The transfer case shift
lever
is on the floor to
the right of the driver.
Use
this lever to shift
into and
out of
four-whcel drive.
An indicator near the lever shows you the transfer case settings.
4-WHEEL LOW (4L)
NEUTRAL (N)
2-WHEEL HIGH (2H)
4-WHEEL HIGH (4H)
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. If you have a C
3500 HD model, it has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well. That could lead to an accident. Whe\
n
you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in
costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear indicators, but if you
ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake drum should be removed and inspected each time the
tires are removed for rotation
or changing. When you have the front brakes
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake
trouble.
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Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the
factory
to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels aligned again.
However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or
the other,
the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be
rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted or corroded. If
wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts
should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
GM dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the same way as the one
it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them only with new
GM original equipment parts. This way, you
will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your
vehicle.
A CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts
on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the braking
and handling
of your vehicle, make your tires lose air and make
you lose control, You could have a collision in which
you or
others could be injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
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