1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER automatic transmission

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven,
in either miles (used in the United States) or
kilometers (used
in Canada).
Your odometer is tamper resistant. It will show silver lines
between the numbers
if someone tries to turn it back.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of
the old odometer, then it must be. But if
it can’t, then it’s set at zero, and a label must be put on
the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading when
the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
To set the trip odometer to zero, press the button near
the readout
.
Tachometer (If Equipped)
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm). Each
tachometer has
a different limit depending on the
powertrain
in your vehicle. The tachometer has three
areas: normal operating range, red warning range and
red danger range.
The normal operating range shows your engine speed
during normal driving conditions.
For example, when
the needle points to
2, it means the engine is running at
2,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). The tachometer
needle
will vary all the time that the engine is running.
The shaded red warning range teIls you
that your engine
speed is reaching
its upper limits. Don’t drive very long
with the tachometer in the red warning range. If you
have
a manual transmission, shift to a higher gear as
soon as possible. If you have an automatic transmission,
lift your foot off of the accelerator pedal.
The solid red danger range tells
you that your engine speed
is at its upper limits. Your should immediately shift to a
higher gear, or lift your foot off of the accelerator pedal.
I NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red range,
or engine damage will occur.
2-71

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Recreational Vehicle Towing (Four-wheel Drive With Manual
Shift Transfer
Case Only)
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Place an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST ( 1 ).
3. Firmly attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
Do not tow the vehicle by the rear bumper
bar. Refer
to the hitch manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Place the manual shift transfer case shift lever in
NEUTRAL
(N).
I A CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case into NEUTRAL (N) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P), for an automatic transmission, or
if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual
transmission.
You or others could be injured.
Make sure the parking brake
is firmly set before
you shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL
(N).
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed
is firmly attached to the tow vehicle.
6. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch and
turn it
one notch forward of the LOCK position. This
places the key
in the OFF position, which unlocks
the steering column while preventing battery drain.
Unlocking the steering column
will allow for proper
movement
of the front wheelshires during towing.
4-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
a
a
a
a
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig
will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer
will
weigh 2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use
a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle
or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow
a trailer, don‘t drive over 50 mph (80 kmh) and
don’t make starts
at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can use
DRIVE
(D) (or. as you need to, a lower gear) when
towing
a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life
of your transmission. If
you have a manual transmission and you are towing
a trailer, it’s better not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just
drive
in FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a
lower gear).
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
0 the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends
on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed. altitude, road grades. outside
temperature and how much your vehicle
is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that
you have on your vehicle.
The following chart shows how much your trailer can
weigh, based upon your vehicle model and options.
4-46

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear byfilw you start
down
a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down. you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade. shift down and reduce your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
if
you have an automatic transmission. you should use
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle in DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life
of your
transmission. Or.
if you have a manual transmission. it's
better not to use
FIFTH (5 j gear. just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or. as you need to. a lower gear). When
towing
at high altitude on steep uphill grades.
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes.
If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this. let the
engine
run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or the
rnanual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see "Engine
Overheating"
in the Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle. with a trailer
attached.
on ;I hill. If something goes wrong, your ris
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
4-52

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
whiie you:
Start your engine:
Shift into a gear: and
Release the parking brake.
3,. 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.
4-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle.
But please use the following steps to do
it safely.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by
your warranty.
Do not try to start your vehicle by pushing or
pulling it. This could damage your vehicle, even if
you have
a manual transmission. And if you have
an automatic transmission, it won’t start that
way.
I A CAUTION:
I
~ Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
1 because:
~ 0 They contain acid that can burn you.
I They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
~ 0 They contain enough electricity to
~ burn you.
~ If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
~ of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
I NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
5-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cabIes
can reach. but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection
you don't want. You wouldn't be able to
start your vehicle. and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put
an
automatic transmission in PARK (Pj or a manual
transmission
in NEUTRAL (N). If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle with a manual transfer case
shift lever. be sure the transfer case is not
in
NEUTRAL (N).
I A CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric
Fan.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into
the cigarette
lighter. or accessory power outlets,
if you have this
option.
Turn off all lamps that aren't needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries.
In addition, it could save your radio!
I NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repair wouldn't be covered
by
your warranty.
I A CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
electric fan under the hood can
start up even
when the engine
is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades” in the Index.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try
this for a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window
as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) or
DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions. If
you
no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just
to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If
the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s
still no sign of steam, push the accelerator until
the engine speed
is about twice as fast as normal idle
speed. Bring the engine speed back to normal idle speed
after two or three minutes. Now
see if the warning stops.
But then, if you still have the warning,
turn ofthe
engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but
to get service
help right away.
5-13