1995 GMC SIERRA trailer

Key in the Ignition
If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an easy target
for joy riders or professional thieves
- so don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door, you‘ll hear a tone
reminding
you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you.
Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you have
an automatic transmission, taking your key out also
locks your transmission. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep
your valuables out of sight. Put them in a storage area, or take them
with
you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it‘s best
to lock
it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition
key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
New Vehicle “Break-In ”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the first 500
miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first
500 miles
(804 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or
so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this “breaking-in” guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during “break-in.” See “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index
for more information.
2-9
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (f) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is
“racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people or objects. Don’t
shift out of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is
racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn’t covered by
your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a) - This position is for normal
driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
- Going about 35 mph (56 kdh) or more, push the accelerator all
0 should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving. Select THIRD
GEAR
(3) when operating the vehicle under any of these
conditions.
THIRD GEAR (3) - This is like 63, but you never go into Overdrive.
You should use
THIRD GEAR (3) when towing a trailer. carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or
for off-road driving.
0 SECOND GEAR (2) - This position gives you more power but lower
fuel economy. You can use
SECOND GEAR (2) on hills. It can help
control
your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want
to use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND GEAR (2), the transmission will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when you are trying
to start your vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
2-21
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to
overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also
damage other parts of your vehicle. Always check to be sure
your parking brake is fully released before you drive.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill: See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer
from moving.
Propshaft Brake Burnish Procedure
If you have a 3500 HD model, it is recommended that the propshaft mounted
parking brake be burnished
as part of the new vehicle break in. The parking
brake will work best after
it has been burnished following these instructions.
Make
10 (ten) stops, using the parking brake foot pedal, from 20 mph (32
km/h) about
2 1/2 miles (4 km) apart. In between stops, drive the vehicle at
20 mph (32 km/h).
Torque Lock
When parking, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl
in the transmission. It may be difficult to pull the selector
lever out of
PARK (P). This is called ”torque lock.” To find out how to
avoid torque lock, see “Torque Lock” later in this section.
Shifting lnto PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Models Only)
2-28
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission
Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual transmission in
REVERSE (R), turn off the engine, and firmly apply the parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure your transfer case is in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll if it isn't.
If you are parking on
a hill, or if your pulling a trailer, see "Parking on
Hills" or '"Towing a Trailer" in the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
1 A CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your \
vehicle and ignite. Don't park over papers, leaves, dry grass
or
other things that can burn.
2-31
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the air system control off could allow
dangerous exhaust into your vehicle (see the earlier Caution
under “Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly carbon monoxide
~ (CO) into your vehicle even if the fan switch is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
- with
CO - can come in easily. NEVER park in a garage with the
engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard. (See “Blizzard” in the
Index.)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK
(P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your
vehicle can roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be
sure your vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK
(P).
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N),
your vehicle
will be free to roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear - not in NEUTRAL (N). Always
set your parking brake. Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
won’t move. See “Shifting Into PARK
(P)“ in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer. see ”Towing a Trailer“ in the Index.
Four- Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your engine‘s driving
power
to all four wheels for extra traction. To get the most satisfaction out
of four-wheel drive, you must be familiar with it’s operation. Read the part
that follows before using four-wheel drive.
You should use 2-WHEEL
HIGH (2H) for most normal driving conditions.
2-33
ProCarManuals.com

Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL)
I window.
If equipment such as a cap or camper is installed, your Center High Mount
Stoplamp (CHMSL) will no longer be visible from behind. You should
select a cap or camper with a CHMSL on it or, if one is not available, have
one installed. See your GM dealer about how to connect your vehicle’s
wiring to a cap or camper CHMSL.
Camper Wiring Harness (Option)
An optional 5-wire harness is stored in the front stake pocket on the driver’s
side of the bed. The harness has
no connector, and should be wired by a
qualified electrical technician.
It must be routed out of your vehicle and securely attached so that it won’t
be pulled or rubbed while you’re using it.
Store the harness
in its original position. Wrap the harness together and tie it
neatly so it won’t be damaged.
If a camper is installed, your Center High Mount Stoplamp (CHMSL) will
no longer be visible from behind. You should select a camper with a
CHMSL on
it or, if one is not available, have one installed. See your GM
dealer about how to connect your vehicle’s wiring to a camper CHMSL.
Trailer Wiring Harness
7-wire harness is stored under your vehicle along the rear frame
crossmember. The harness connects to the underhood electrical center and
no connector, and should be wired by a qualified electrical technician.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or strap it to your
vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure
you leave it loose enough so the wiring won’t
bind or break when turning with the trailer, but
not so loose that it drags on
the ground.
2-83
ProCarManuals.com

Store the harness in its original position. Wrap the harness together and tie it
neatly so it won’t be damaged.
If you do tow a trailer, your Center High Mount Stoplamp (CHMSL) may
not be properly visible from behind.
You should select a trailer with a
CHMSL on
it or, if one is not available, have one installed. See your GM
dealer about how
to connect your vehicle’s wiring to a trailer CHMSL.
Step-Bumper Pad
If your vehicle has a rear step bumper, it may be equipped with a rear step
pad at the center
of the bumper. Use this pad to improve footing when you
are stepping on the bumper step.
remove the center
cutout circle to install
the trailer ball.
You
must also remove both
outer cutouts
to attach
the trailer safety
chains.
To remove the pad, lift
the edge of the pad
from the rear
of the
bumper and swing it
forward. When the
pad releases from the
bumper holes,
lift the
pad
off.
2-84
ProCarManuals.com

Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for your vehicle. Weigh
your vehicle with the trailer hitch attached,
so that you won’t go over the
GVWR or the
GAM.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the weight of your load
the right way, and if you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see “Trailer Towing” in the Index.
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners may consider having the
pickup box removed and a commercial or recreational body installed.
Before you do
so, first contact the GM Zone Office for your area for
information on such conversions specific to this vehicle. (See \
the “Warranty
and Owner Assistance” booklet for Zone Office.) Owners should be aware
that, as manufactured, there are differences between a chassis cab and a
pickup with the box removed which may affect vehicle safety. The
components necessary to adapt a pickup to permit its safe use with a
specialized body should be installed by a body builder in accordance with
the information available from the Zone Office.
Towing a Trailer
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result\

in costly repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice
in this part, and see your GM dealer
for important information about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
4-42
ProCarManuals.com