1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your GM dealer has two GM cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
0 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a
clean area often.
A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
0 Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only.
If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any
loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following
the directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section
with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s
left with a slightly damp paper
towel
or cloth.
Then dry
it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
6-52

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and
stains will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
Iight pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside
of
the stain, “feathering” toward the center. Keep
changing to
a clean section of the cloth.
When
you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area with a blow dryer
to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
Fabric Protection
Your vehicle has upholstery and carpet that has been
treated
with Scotchgard TM Fabric Protector, a 3M
product. It protects fabrics by repelling oil and water,
which are the carriers of
most stains. Even with this
protection, you still need
to clean your upholstery and
carpet often to keep
it looking new.
Further information
on cleaning is available by calling
1-800-433-3296 (in Minnesota, 1-800-642-6 167).
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, nm-garine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt can
be
1.
2.
3.
removed as follows:
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain
if left on a vehicle’s seat fabric. Thcy should be
removed as soon as possible. Be careful, because
the cleaner
will dissolve them and lnay cause them
to spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Stains caused by catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit
juice,
milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood can
be removed
as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
2. If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
described earlier.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
cool water and allow to dry.
0 If,a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don't get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
a
GM Vinylkeather Cleaner or equivalent product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
0 For stubborn stains, use a GM Vinylheather Cleaner
or equivalent product.
cleaners, furniture polish
or shoe polish on leather.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
0 Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If
dirt is allowed to work into the finish, it can harm
the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel, Sprays containing silicones or'
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
6-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
A CAUTIOl.,
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them.
In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later.
If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield,
Batklass and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside
of the windshield with GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@’ (GM Part
No. 105001 1). The windshield is-clean if beads do not
form when
you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth
soaked in full-strength windshield washer solvent.
Then rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades .should be checked
on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may
be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index,)
6-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on y.our vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to
keep it clean by washing it .often with lukewarm or
cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the
sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or
that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or a
100% cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your vehicle has a “basecoatklearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth’and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatlclearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
6-56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be clearled regularly to keep
. their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, you may use
GM Chrome Polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary:
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid
damaging protective trim, never use auto or chrome
polish, steam or caustic soap
to clean aluminum. A
coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended
for all bright metal parts.
_-
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel.
A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because
you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic vehicle
wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint .finish.
6-57

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets, Larger areas of finish damage can
be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control
can collect on the underbody.
If these are not removed,
accelerated corrosion (rust)
can occur on the underbody
parts such as
fuel lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust
system even though they have corrosion .protection. At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underb.ody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
.<
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
’
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
GM
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
6-58

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE
DESCRIPTION ' SIZE
I050004 Shines vehicle without
scratching
Chamois
2.75 sq. ft. ~~ ~ ~ ~~
r 1050172 1~ 16 oz. (0.473 L)-1 Tar and Road Oil Remover[- Also removes old waxes and polishes
~~~ ~~ ~
I ~ ~ 1050173 [ ~1607_(0473 L) 1 --Chrome Cleaner and Polish-r Removes
rust and corrosion
~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~
10501 74
Exterior cleaner and polish
Manic Mirror Cleaner Polish 16 oz. (0.473 L) 1 05020 1
Removes soil and black marks
White Sidewall Tire Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L)
10502 14
Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
6 Ibs. (2.72 kg) 1050429 Cleans
grease, grime and smoke film Glass Cleaner 23
oz. (0.680 L) I050427
. Spot and stain removal Vinyl and Leather Cleaner
32 oz. (0.946
L)
For cloth
Spot Lifter
8 oz. (0.237 L) 105 1398" Cleans
vinyl,
cloth, tires and mats
I051515 Exterior wash
Wash and
Wax Concentrate
16 oz. (0.473 L) 1052870 Windshield washer solvent and
antifreeze
Optikleen@
32
oz. (0.946 L)
1052918"" Protects
vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All TM Protector 8 oz. (0.237 L)
1052929
Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All Cleaner 16
oz. (0.473 L)
12345002** Attracts and absorbs
soils Capture Dry Spot Remover 8 oz. (0.237 L)
1052930 Spray
on wheel
cleaner
Wheel Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L)
12345725 Shines tires
Silicone Tire Shine
12 oz. (0.354 L)
Motors Parts Department for these products.
~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ ~~
* Not recommended for pigskin suede-leather.
See "Fluids and Lubricants"
in the Index. **Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
'I ' 649