1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Owners Manual

Turn Signal and Lane Change lndicator Lights
The green signal indicator will come on whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. See
“Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator’‘ earlier in this section.
Gages
Fuel Gage
Gasoline Engine Diesel Engine
The fuel gage, when the ignition is on, tells you about how much fuel YOLI
have left in your tank. The gage will first indicate empty before you are out
of fuel,
and you should get more fuel as soon as possible.
Listed are
four situations you may experience with your fuel ea tracre:
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the gage reads ~LIII.
2-78
ProCarManuals.com

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the fuel gage indicated.
For example, the gage may have indicated the tank was half
full, but it
actually took a little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill the
tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or speed up.
0 The gage doesn’t go back to empty when you turn off the ignition.
None of these indicate a problem with the fuel gage.
For information on how to fill your fuel tank, see “Fuel
- Filling Your
Tank”
in the Index.
For your
fuel tank capacity, see “Fuel -Tank Capacity” in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. Most of the time, the gage
pointer will show your coolant temperature at 210°F (99”C), or less. But,
if
you are pulling a heavy load or driving up hills, your coolant temperature
may rise and fall near
the red 260°F (1 28°C) mark. This is normal. If the
gage pointer moves
to the red 260°F (1 28°C) mark, your engine is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. You should pull off the
road, stop
your vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Hot Coolant Can Burn You Badly!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
2-79
ProCarManuals.com

Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds per
square inch) when the engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure
in kPa (kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and
oil viscosity, but readings above the low pressure
zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerously low oil
level or other problem causing
low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as
possible.
A CAUTION:
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your
engine can become
so hot that it catches fire. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be
costly and is not covered
by your warranty.
2-%O
ProCarManuals.com

Voltmeter
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is in the RUN position,
this gage shows your battery’s state of charge
in DC volts.
When
the engine is running, the gage shows the condition of the charging
system. Readings between the low and high warning zones indicate
the
normal operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a large number
of
electrical accessories are operating in the vehicle and the engine is left at an
idle
for an extended period. This condition is normal since the charging
system
is not able to provide full power at engine idle. As engine speeds are
increased,
this condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds allow
the charging system
to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading in either warning zone.
If you must drive, turn off all unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible problem
in the electrical
system. Have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
2-8 1
ProCarManuals.com

Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL)
Your vehicle has a
Center High Mount
Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
located above the
tailgate glass
or above
the rear load doors.
I I
If items are loaded on the roof of the vehicle, as in a luggage carrier, care
should be taken not
to block or damage the CHMSL unit.
Cargo Security Shade (4-Door Utility Model)
If you have a cargo
security shade,
you
can use it to cover
items
in the cargo
area
of your vehicle.
To use the shade,
pull the shade handle toward the rear of the vehicle. Latch
the shade posts into the retaining sockets
on the cargo area trim panels.
To return the shade to the shade holder, pull up on the shade handle to
release the shade posts from the retaining sockets. Let the shade move
forward and latch the shade posts into the front-most retaining sockets.
To remove
the shade from the vehicle, first let the shade go all the way into
the holder. Then, push the shade holder toward the passenger side of the
vehicle. Lift the shade up at the driver's side, swing the shade rearward, and
take
it out of the vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

To put the shade in the vehicle, first make sure the shade slot in the holder
faces rearward with the round surface facing down. Then, hold the shade at
an angle and place the shade holder tab into the slot in the passenger’s side
trim panel. Move the other end of the shade forward and hold it next the
driver’s side trim panel slot.
Push the shade holder
toward the passenger
side
of the vehicle and
place the tab in the
driver’s side trim
panel slot. Make sure
the tab
goes all the
way in the slot.
Lightly pull
on the shade holder to make sure it is secure. Then, pull the
shade to the desired position and secure the shade posts the appropriate
retaining sockets.
2-83
ProCarManuals.com

Convenience Net
If you have a convenience net, it is stored in a pouch attached to the spare
tire cover on 2-door Utility and Suburban models. On 4-door Utility
models, the pouch is placed in the storage compartment at the driver’s side
rear
of the cargo area.
Cargo Tie Downs
There are cargo tie
downs in the rear cargo area that allow
you to strap cargo in
and keep it from
moving inside the
vehicle.
When not using the tie
down, flip them down
out
of the way.
2-84
ProCarManuals.com

Luggage Carrier
If you have a luggage carrier, you can load things on top of your vehicle.
The luggage carrier has slats and side rails attached to the roof, and cross
rails which can be moved fore and aft in the side rails to help secure cargo.
Tie the load to
the side rails or side rail supports. Use the cross rails mostly
for fore and aft stops.
NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 200 pounds (90.6 kg) on
the luggage carrier may damage your vehicle. When you carry
large things, never let them hang over the rear or the sides of
your vehicle. Load your cargo
so that it rests on the slats and
does not scratch or damage the vehicle. Put the cargo against the
side rails and fasten it securely to the luggage carrier.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your vehicle. For
more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see “Loading Your
Vehicle”
in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to
make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
Be sure
the cargo is properly loaded.
0 If small heavy objects are placed on the roof, place the load in the area
over the rear wheels (behind the rear side door on Suburbans).
If you
need
to, cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to fit inside the cross rails and
side rails to spread the load.
If plywood is used, tie it to the side rail
supports.
Tie the load to the cross rails or the side rail supports. Use the cross
rails
only to keep the load from sliding.
If you need to carry long items, move the cross rails as far apart as they
will go. Tie
the load to the cross rails and the side rails or side rail
supports. Also tie
the load to the bumpers. Do not tie the load so tightly
that the cross rails or side rails are damaged.
0 After moving the cross rails, be sure to tighten all the slider screws.
Trailer Wiring Harness
A 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.
2-85
ProCarManuals.com