1996 GMC SIERRA maintenance

The 1996 GMC Sierra 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.
Features and Controls .................................................................. 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 comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information 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 overheated
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 use.
This section tells you how to contact
GMC Truck for assistance and how to get service and owner
publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety 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
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I
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
1 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
.I air bags from wor@ng 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.
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Safety Belt Extender Checking Your Restraint SI ~tems
If the vehicle‘s safety belt will hsten around you, you
should use
it.
But ifa safety belt isn’t long enough to Faten, 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. Now
and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly.
Look ,for any other
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.)
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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.
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 CAUTION: ‘ ’
0
0
e
Cargo on the load floor piled higher than
the seatbacks can be thrown forward
during a sudden stop.
You or your
passengers could be injured. Keep cargo
below the top of the seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo
on the load floor can
be tossed about when driving over rough
terrain.
You or your passengers can
be struck by flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly. Heavy
loads on the roof raise the vehicle’s
center of gravity, making it more likely to
roll over.
You can be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy
loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
Keep cargo in the cargo
area as far forward
and low as possible.
You’ll find other important information
in this manual.
See “Vehicle Loading,” “Luggage Carrier” and “Tires”
in the Index.
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Dr g at I
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.
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.
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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
0 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 quickly.
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 end of
your vehicle. between the frame rails. An electrical
connector
will need to be installed at the trailer end of
the harness, by a qualified electrical technician. For
additional trailer wiring and towing information please
consult your
GM 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.
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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 list
the mileage and the date
of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.
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.
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the Diesel Engine Supplement. For vehicles with gasoline engines, please
read-this.
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane
or higher. At a minimum, it should meet specifications
ASTM D4814
in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline specifications have
been developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for better vehicle
performance and engine protection. Gasolines meeting
the AAMA specification could provide improved
driveability and emission control system protection
compared
to other gasolines. I
Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have
a problem.
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Noise Control System
The following information relates to compliance with
Federal noise emission standards for vehicles with
a
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than
10,000 Ibs. (4 536 kg). The Maintenance Schedule
booklet provides information on maintaining
the noise
control system to minimize degradation
of the noise
emission control system during
the life of your vehicle.
The noise control system warranty is given
in your
Warranty booklet.
These standards apply only to vehicles
sold in the
United States.
Tampering With Noise Control
System Prohibited
Federal law prohibits the following acts or the
causing thereof:
1. The removal or rendering inoperative by any person,
other than for purposes of maintenance, repair or
replacement, of any device or element of design
incorporated into any new vehicle for the purpose
of
noise control. prior to its sale or delivery to the
ultimate purchaser or while
it is in use; or
2. The use of the vehicle after such device or element
of design has been removed or rendered inoperative
by any person.
Among those acts presumed
to constitute tampering are
the acts listed below.
Insulation:
Removal of noise shields or underhood insulation.
Engine:
Removal or rendering engine speed governor (if so
equipped) inoperative so as to allow engine speed to
exceed manufkcturer specifications.
Fan and Drive:
0 Removal of fan clutch (if so equipped) or rendering
clutch inoperative.
Removal of fan shroud (if so equipped).
Air Intake:
Removal of air cleaner silencer
@ Reversing air cleaner cover.
Exhaust:
Removal of muffler and/or resonator.
Removal of exhaust pipes and exhaust pipe clamps.
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