1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Owners Manual

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 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 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.
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Power Winches
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle, only
use it when your vehicle is stationary or anchored.
NOTICE:
Using a power winch with the transmission in
gear may damage the transmission. When
operating a power winch, always leave the
transmission in
NEUTRAL (N).
Use the regular brakes, set the parking brake, or block
the wheels to keep your vehicle from rolling.
Power Take-Off (PTO)
I NOTICE:
If you have a PTO that will exceed 35 hp installed
on your vehicle, it could damage the transfer case
or transmission. When having a PTO installed on
your vehicle, make sure that it will not exceed
35 hp.
Before using a PTO, refer to the manufacturer’s or
installer’s instructions.
NOTICE:
Using a PTO while operating in one place before
the vehicle has reached normal operating
temperature can damage the transfer case or
transmission.
If you will be using the PTO while
operating in one place, drive and warm up the
vehicle before using the PTO.
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To engage a PTO:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (N).
4. Engage the PTO.
NOTICE:
Using a PTO for more than four hours without
driving your vehicle
can damage the transfer case
or transmission.
If using a PTO for more than
four hours without driving your vehicle, drive
your vehicle for a while to allow the transfer case
and transmission to cool.
5. Start the vehicle. If you are going to drive the
vehicle, shift the transmission into the gear you
want. Then shift the transfer case into the range you
want (if you have four-wheel drive), apply the
regular brakes and release the parking brake.
Using a Transfer Case Mounted Power
Take-Off
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the ignition off.
Shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL
(N).
Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (N).
Engage the PTO.
If you are going to drive the vehicle, shift the
transfer case into the range you want. Then apply the
regular brakes and release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to THIRD
(3) to start the
Power Take-Off.
Release the regular brakes to drive the vehicle.
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Step-Bumper Pad
If your vehicle has a rear step bumper, it may be
equipped with a rear step pad at the center
of
the bumper.
If you will be using the
bumper to tow a trailer, you
must remove the center
cutout circle to install the
trailer ball.
You must also
remove both outer cutouts
to attach the trailer
safety chains.
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b NOTES
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Section 5 Problems On The Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-3
5-3
5-8
5-11 Hazard
Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engines) Cooling System
-- Gasoline Engines
Engine Fan Noise
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing
a Flat Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow
5-13
5-2 1
5-21
5-22
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Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off. Press the
button at the top
of the steering column all
the way down to make your
front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, push the button until the first
click and release.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.
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Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery (or batteries) 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.
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
0 They contain acid that can burn you.
0 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.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by your
vehicle warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing
or pulling
it could damage your vehicle. With an automatic
transmission, it won’t start that
way.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicle’s 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.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set the
parking brake
fiiy on both vehicles involved in the
jump
start procedure. Put an automatic transmission
in
PARK (P). If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is not
in NEUTRAL (N).
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