1997 GMC JIMMY parking brake

Recreational Vehicle Towing (Four-wheel Drive With
7
Shift Transfer Case Only)
1.
2.
3.
3.
Set the par' * lg brake firmly.
Place an automatic transmission
in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST ( I ).
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.
Place the manual shift transfer case shift lever
in
NEUTRAL (N).
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.
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When towing a trailer, the ~~rrows on your instrument
panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
itre 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 arc
still working.
Driving On Grades
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reducc your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission ovc.rheating.
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
trrmsmission. Or:
if you have ;1 manual transmission. it's
better not to use FIFTH (5) gear. just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a I~MW gear). Whcn
towins at high altitude
on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If yo^^ turn
your engine off immediately after towing
at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your \:ellicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this. let the
engine
r~~n while parked (preferably on level grout1d)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (Pj (or the
1manuaI transmission out of
gear and the parking brake
applied) 1'01-
;I 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 a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start
to move. People can be injured, and both
yo~~r vehicle and the trailer can
be damaged.
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1.
L. 7
3.
4.
5.
6.
Apply your regultu- brakes, but don‘t shift into
PARK (P) yet. or into gear for a nxmual
transmission. Then
t111-n your wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the reglrlar brakes. Then apply your parking
brake,
and then shift into PARK (P). or
REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission.
If yo^^ have ;t I’our-~yheel-dl-ive \:ellick with a
manual transfer case shift lever, be SLIR the transfer
case
is in a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N).
Release the regular brakes. 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
01- others could be
injured.
‘li) be sure your vehicle won’t n~ove, even
when you’re
on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you have four-wheel drive with
a nlanual
transfer case shift lever and your transfer case
is
in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will he 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

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a Hill
I, Apply your reg~~lar brakes and lwld the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear: and
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 nlore 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. ~~xle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and
brakc adjustment. Each of these is covered in this
manurd.
and the Index will help you find then] 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

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
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 co~~ld
be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking
brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transmission in PARK (P) 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 (Nj.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the ci, wsette
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.
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.
- -
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.
5-4

When your vehicle is being towed. have the ignition key
turned to the OFF position. The steering wheel should
be cla111ped
in a straight-alwad position with a clamping
device designed for towing service. Do not use the
vehicle's steering column lock for this. The transmission
should be
in NEUTRAL (N) and the transfer case, if you
have one. should be in 2HI. The parking brake should
be released.
If your vehicle 11as a floor mounted shifter and no
electrical power, the electrical solenoid lock must be
overridden to shift from PARK (P) to NEUTRAL (N).
Follow these steps:
1. Push the base of the shift lever boot forward \%7ith
your tlwmb.
2. Lift the boot and find the white solenoid lever.
3.
4.
5.
Move the solenoid lever toward the driver's side to
unlock
it.
While holding the solenoid lever in the ~~nlock
position. press the shift lever button and shift into
NEUTRAL (N).
5-9

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.
A CAUTION:
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 an automatic transmission shift
lever in PARK
(P) or shift a manual
transmission to FIRST
(1) or
REVERSE (R).
CAUTIQN: iContinued) .~
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle
with a manual transfer case shift lever,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Put the wheel 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.
5-23

Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle hus been sitting
for eight hours or
Inore with the engine off and is lwd
only as a reference. Let the engine run rlt idle for five
minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F ( 10°C) oI
more. If it’s colder than 50°F ( IOOC), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you rrlwst perfor111 a hot check
before adding fluid. This
will give you a more accurate
reading
of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applicd. place the shift le\;er
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each
gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then. position the shit’t
lever
in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
I. Flip the handle LIP and then pull out the dipstick and
wipc it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
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