1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE maintenance

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................... 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts\
properly. It also explains the “SIR’ system.
FeaturesandControls .................................................................. 2-1
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate \
your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful infomation and tips about the road \
and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to
do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheat\
ed
engine, etc.
Here
the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and\
looking good.
This section tells you when
to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to u\
se.
This section tells you how
to contact Chevrolet for assistance ahd how to get service and ow\
ner
publications. It also gives you, information on “Reporting Sa\
fety Defects’’ on page
8-8.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something
you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad ................................................................... 5-1
Service and Appearance Care ... .’. ....................................................... 6-1
Maintenanceschedule..................... ............................................. 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
i

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
The air bag affects how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a service, manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
For up to two minutes after the ignition key is
turned
off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape,
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Q.’ If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the
front of my vehicle, will it keep the air bag from
working properly?
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is
attached
to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s basic
structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the
air bags from working properly in a crash.
What if I add a snow plow? Will it keep the air
bag from working properly?
A: We’ve designed our air bag systems to work
properly under a wide range
of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles equipped
with the optional Snow Plow Prep Package
(RPO VYU). But don’t change or defeat the snow
plow’s “tripping mechanism.” If you do, it can
damage your snow plow and your vehicle, and it
may cause an air bag inflation.
1-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine /i CAUTION:
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. ~ But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
’ dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in
to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat
in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use
it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
I I Checking Your Restraint Systems
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt Now
and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force
to the child’s anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other
pelvic bones in a crash. loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect
you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Off-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have
four-wheel drive.
Also, see “Anti-Lock Brakes’’ in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive, you
shouldn’t drive off-road unless you’re on a level,
solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But
it does have
some definite hazards. The greatest
of these is the
terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren’t
marked. Curves aren’t banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill. In
short, you’ve gone right back
to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s
why it’s very important that you read this guide. You’ll
find many driving tips and suggestions. These’will help
make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure
to have all necessary maintenance and
service work done. Check to make sure all underbody
shields
(if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure
you read all the information about your
four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there enough
fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels
up where they should be? What are
the local laws that
apply to off-roading where you’ll be driving? If
you
don’t know, you should check with law enforcement
people in the area. Will you be on someone’s private
land? If
so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
Loading’ Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
0 The heaviest things should be on the load floor and
forward
of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off-road terrain doesn’t toss things around.
4-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust system
for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired
-- by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let ,up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them qoickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
A seven-wire harness is stored under the rear of your
vehicle, between the frame rails. An electrical connector
will need to be added at the trailer end
of the harness, by
a qualified electrical technician. For additional trailer
wiring and towing information, please consult your
dealer. 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. Store’ the harness in its original
position. Wrap the harness together and tie it neatly
so it
won’t be damaged.
If you tow a trailer, your Center
High-Mounted 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.
4-53

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to get the proper service manual. It tells
you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this manual
can.
To order the proper service manual, see “Service . .
. and Owner Publications” in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and
the mileage and the date
of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index. list
A CAUTION:
You
can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged’if you try
to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
0 Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, and the proper replacement
parts and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
0 Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused.
If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall
off. You could be hurt. .
6-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To remove the air filter, unhook the retainer clips and
remove the cover. Lift the filter and the connected duct Install the
new filter by pushing it all the way to the stop
on the duct.
Out Of the air housing. the duct and remove Install the duct and the filter into the air cleaner housing.
the filter by both pulling and twisting the filter away
from the duct. Care should be taken to dislodge as little
dirt
as possible. Install the cover and fasten the two retaining clips.
Make
sure that the duct fits properly into the housing.
Clean the filter sealing surfdce of the duct and the
filter housing. After the air filter
is properly serviced, the
indicator
should be reset. Push the button on top
of the indicator
to reset
it to the green (clean) filter zone.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
6-17