1996 CHEVROLET S10 Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons
why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down
to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason
is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn,
then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
’ A CAUTION: I
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the windows on the brake
fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN. If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked to see
if there is a leak. After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the levels are above
MIN and below the top
of each window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
I
6-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
NOTICE:
0 0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil,
in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index. Your
vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicatbrs 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).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to
an accident. When 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.
6-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads
for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes 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 drums
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.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing
up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality
and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your vehicle does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system
-- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have to
have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example,
if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change
-- for the
worse. The braking performance you’ve come
to expect
can change
in many other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
6-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom@
battery. Get
one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more,
take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running down.
d CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt. Also,
for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature’’ in
the Index.
Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lamps
are off and the engine isn’t running. See “Replacement
Bulbs” in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
/u CAUTION:
-
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
-1
6-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Headlamps
Sealed Beam Lamps
1. Remove the screws from
the headlamp retainer.
2. Pull the headlamp out
and remove the retainer.
3. Unplug and remove the headlamp.
4. Plug in the new headlamp and put it in place.
5. Put the retainer on the headlamp and install and
tighten the screws.
6-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Composite Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the black
protective caps from the
removal pins at the top
of the radiator support.
Use a hex socket to
unscrew the pins.
3. Pull the headlamp lens
I
assembly out. (Some
vehicles may have
4. Unplug the electrical connector.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Turn the bulb
counterclockwise
to remove it.
6. Put the new bulb into the headlamp lens assembly
and turn it clockwise until
it is tight.
7. Plug in the electrical connector.
8. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle. Install and tighten the screws.
Front Turn Signal Lamps
If you have fog lamps, the fog lamp bracket must be
removed before
you can replace the front parkinghum
signal lamps.
1. Reach under the bumper and behind the parkinghrn
signal lamp assembly.
2. Push the tab on the socket, turn the socket
counterclockwise and pull
it out.
3. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb straight
out
of the socket.
4. Push the new bulb into the socket until it clicks.
5. Put the socket back into the parkinghrn signal lamp
assembly and
turn it clockwise until it locks in place.
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