1997 GMC JIMMY tow

The recovery hooks, when used, are under a lot of
force. Always pull the vehicle straight out. Never
pull on the hooks at a sideways angle. The hooks
could break
off and you or others could be
injured from the chain or cable
snapping back.
I NOTICE:
Never use the recovery hooks to tow the vehicle.
Your vehicle could be damaged and it would not
be covered by warranty.
5-38

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop to its retainer.
Then just pull the hood down firmly to close. It will
latch when dropped from
10 to12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
without pressing on the hood.
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The oil dipstick is a
yellow ring.
Turn
off the engine and give
the oil
a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the
actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in
all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-9

Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. YOLK GM dealer is ready
to advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you. LIS~ the short trip/city
. maintenxm schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
YOLI frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application. Driving under
these conditions causes engine oil to
break
down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle. then you need to change your
oil and filter
every
3.000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
Remote Oil Filter (Four-wheel Drive)
The ;1ccess door for the remote oil filter is in the steering
linkage shicld
assembly located under the radiator
support. Twist the
screw to unlock or lock the door.
Make sure
if you open the door, it is securely closed
when you are finished.
6-12

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine
backfires.
If it isn't there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don't drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which
will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner
in place when you're driving.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid
and filter every 50.000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi. police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the Index.
6-14

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.
6-16

I1
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, don’t include it
in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the
Certificatioflire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque’’ in
the Index.
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt
off. (See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
6-43

Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section.
Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines,
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge. Don't
saturate the material and don't
rub it roughly.
As soon as you've cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe
off what's left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Dry
it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe
with a clean cloth,
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains
will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
I.
2.
3.
4.
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper.
Use very little cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the
outside
of the stain, "feathering" toward the center.
Keep changing to
a clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area
with a blow dryer to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
6-50

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle
in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or
that contain acid or abrasives.
All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish
with a
soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior LampsLenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a liquid
hand, dish or car washing
(mild detergent) soap to clean
exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under
”Washing Your Vehicle.”
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish.
You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from
your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your vehicle
has a “basecoatlclearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and
gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for
a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish.
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may dull the
finish
or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings.
chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage
your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces.
Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
6-54