1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Owners Manual

6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan(
s).
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more
of the proper DEX-COOL Rvl coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base
of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to
flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows
on the pressure cap line up like this.
5-20
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Fan Noise If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving
conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully engages.
So you may
hear an increase
in fan noise. This is normal and should
not be mistaken as the transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling system functioning
properly. The fan will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages. It’s
unusual for a tire to “blow out’’ while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what
to do:
If
a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then’ gently brake to
a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in
a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how
to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
5-21
ProCarManuals.com

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place.
Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip
off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find
a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. firn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle, at the opposite end.
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change
a tire.
5-22
ProCarManuals.com

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you’ll need is located in the rear cargo
area. You’ll also find your spare tire there.
On two-door utility and Suburban models, the spare tire
is located at the rear of the vehicle.
To remove the spare
tire, first open the tire cover,
if you have one. Turn the
wing nut counterclockwise and take it, and the adapter,
off the bolt. Take the tire out of the vehicle and remove
the tire cover.
On four-door utility models, the spare tire may be stored
under the vehicle in
an underbody carrier.
Lower Raise
D
&Door Utility Models
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Ratchet
D. Jack Handle
E. Retainer
E Valve Stem,
Pointed Down
G. Spare Tire
5-23
ProCarManuals.com

Follow these instructions to lower the spare tire:
1. One side of the ratchet has an UP marking. The other
side has a DOWN marking. Assemble the ratchet
to the hook near the end of the jack handle (as
illustrated) with the DOWN marking facing you.
Insert the other end through the hole in the rear
bumper and into the hoist shaft.
2. Turn the ratchet to lower the spare tire to the ground.
Continue to turn the ratchet until the spare tire can be
pulled out from under the vehicle.
3. When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer at
the end of the cable
so it can be pulled up through
the wheel opening.
4. Put the spare tire near the flat tire. If
your two-door utility
model has a jack cover,
turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and
take the cover
off.
To take the jack out, turn the wing nut counterclockwise
and take it and the retainer off. Take the jack and storage
box out and take the tools out of the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair of emergency gloves
secured
to the jack. You can use them when changing
the tire, or during other emergency situations.
Remember to replace them with the jack,
so you will
have them
if needed later.
5-24
! ProCarManuals.com

To open the jack cover on four-door utility models, push
the cover latches down and remove the cover.
To take the jack out, turn the wing-head bolt
counterclockwise and take it and the retainer off. Take
the jack and storage box out and take the tools out of
the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair of emergency gloves
secured to the jack.
You can use them when changing
the tire, or during other emergency situations.
Remember to replace them with the jack,
so you will
have them if needed later. If
your Suburban has a jack cover,
lift the tab up to
release the cover, then take it
off.
To take the jack out, turn the wing nut counterclockwise
and take it and the retainer off. Take the jack and storage
box
out and take the tools out of the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair
of emergency gloves
secured to the jack. You can use them when changing
the tire, or during other emergency situations.
Remember to replace them with the jack,
so you will
have them
if needed later.
5-25
ProCarManuals.com

The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A), the jack
handle extension
(B), jack handle (C), wheel wrench (D)
and the ratchet (E).
The jack handle extension is used if the flat tire is on the
rear
of the vehicle. Attach the
jack handle (and jack handle extension,
if
needed) to the jack.
5-26
ProCarManuals.com

UP Marking DOWN Marking
One side of the ratchet has an UP marking. The other
side has a
DOWN marking. With the
UP marking on the ratchet
facing you, rotate
the ratchet clockwise.
That will lift the jack head a little.
5-27
ProCarManuals.com