1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE brakes

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
PARK
(P) yet.
3. When
the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK
(P).
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be
sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear -- not in
NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
e
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer
case is in
NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free
to roll, even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear -- not
in
NEUTRAL (N).
4-53

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:
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.
4-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
4-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
4-56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-6
6-8
6- 14
6-18
6-20
6-24 6-24
6-26
6-29
6-29
6-30
6-30
6-32 Service
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
Fuels
in Foreign Countries -- Gasoline
Engines
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
Air Cleaner (Gasoline Engines)
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear Axle
Four-wheel Drive
Engine Coolant
Radiator Pressure Cap
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
6-36
6-37
6-44
6-44
6-52
6-53
6-56
6-57
6-59
6-60 6-6 1
6-62
6-67
6-69
6-70
6-72 Battery
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Vehicle
Care of the Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Replacement Parts
Air Conditioning Specifications
6-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir
is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
KCAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine
is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the fluid check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is Inspections’’ in the Index.
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have
your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
6-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid What to Add
You
can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the window on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid level should be above MIN. If
it isn’t, have your
brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above MIN and below the top
of
the window. When
you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
-1
6-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
I
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
r
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are Some
driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.