1997 GMC JIMMY light

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
0 Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
0 You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle. Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid,
a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and
reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving
under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a
piece
of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help
provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these
items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be
very careful.
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Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can’t see it or smell it,
so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will help
keep
CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When
you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly.
This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle. and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way
to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold.
But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long
as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and
do some hirly vigorous exercises
every half
hour or so until help comes.
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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

CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight
if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the Delco Freedom"' battery
installed in every new
CbI vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it
is low, add water to take care
of that first. If
you don't, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
6. Connect the red
positive (+) cable to
the positive
(+) terminal
of the vehicle with the
de.ad battery.
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Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp’’ in
the Index.
______
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
Checking Things Under the Hood
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle
on the lower driver’s side of
the instrument panel.
Then go to the front of
the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
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How to Add Fluid
Here's how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
"Recommended Fluids and Lubricants"
in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch system in your vehicle is
self-adjusting.
A slight amount of play ( 1/4 inch to
1/2 inch or ti lnm to 12 mm) in the pedal is normal.
It isn't a good idea to "top OW' your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won't correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule. Owner Checks and
Services. to determine how often you should check the
fluid level
in your clutch master cylinder reservoir and
for the proper fluid. See "Owner Checks and Services''
and "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants"
in
the Index.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle
for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the DEX-COOL@ coolant
for your vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
8
they should.
NOTICE:
When .adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core
or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs
first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
If you have the all-wheel drive option, your vehicle has
four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are 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 A CAUTION: 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.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake
pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear
drum brakes don't have wear indicators,
but
if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise: have
the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and inspected each time the
tires are removed
for rotation or changing. When you
have the front brake pads replaced. have the rear brakes
inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
"Brake System Inspection" in Section 7 of this manual
under
Part C "Periodic Maintenance Inspections."
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