1997 GMC JIMMY overheating

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.
4-52

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel.
If Steam Is C . - g I; - ___I Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone
away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire,
You or
others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-12

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.
6-23

Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
fronl overheating. Be sure the arrows
on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperattrre is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
Power Steerinp Fluid
6-26

A CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
0
0
0
0
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating
as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “1,oading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check
all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread
is badly worn, or if‘ your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Cel-tification/Tire label. which is 011 the driver‘s
door edge, above the door latch. shows the correct
inflation
pressures for your tires when they’re cold.
“Cold“ lneans your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile ( 1 .6 km).
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not.
If‘ your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
Bad wear
0 Bad handling
0 Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
6-4 1

Engine ........................................ 6-8
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-17
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-46
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-76
Fan Noise
................................... 5-22
Exhaust
..................................... 2-34
Identification
................................ 6-58
OilLevelCheck
............................... 7-46
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Specifications
................................ 6-63
Running While Parked
......................... 2-35
Starting
..................................... 2-15
Engine Oil
..................................... 6-9
Additives
................................... 6- 12
Checlung
.................................... 6-9
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-79
When to Change
.............................. 6-12
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-36
Exterior Metal Parts, Protecting
.................... 6-55
Adding
..................................... 6-10
Kindtouse
................................. 6-10
Used
....................................... 6-13
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-34
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-50
Fifth Gear, Manual Transmission
................... 2-21
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter
Air ........................................ 6-13
Remote Oil
.................................. 6-12 Finishcare
. ............................i...... 6-54
First Gear Finish Damage
................................. 6-56
Automatic Transmission
....................... 2-20
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire, Changing
............................. 5-23
Fluids and Lubricants
....................... 6-64, 7-52
Fog Lamp Switch ............................... 2-47
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear, Manual Transmission
................. 2-21
Four-wheel Drive
......................... 2-23, 6-21
Front Map Lamps
............................... 2-48
Front Reading
Lamps .................. 2-47,2-51, 6-38
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-36
FrontStorageArea
.............................. 2-56
ManualTransmission
.......................... 2-21
French Language Manual
u
FrontAxle .................................... 6-22
.. ...........................
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.......... 6-36
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling Your
Tank .............................. 6-5
Foreign Countries
.............................. 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-59
Gage
....................................... 2-81
bages Engine Coolant TemDerature
.................... 2-76 v L
Engine Oil Pressure ........................... 2-79
Fuel
....................................... 2-81
9-4 b

Methanol .................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-49
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-50
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-49
Outside
..................................... 2-49
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-62
Model Reference
................................. vi
Mountain Roads ................................ 4-35
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-38
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-57
Neutral
Automatic Trans~nission
....................... 2- I9
Manual Transmission
.......................... 2-22
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- I3
Nightvision
................................... 4-28
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............. 6-63
Odometer
.................................... 2.68
Off-Road Driving .............................. 4- 15
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- I 1
Opener, Garage Door ............................ 2-5 1
Ordering Owner and Service Publications ....... 8- 11. 8- 12
Outside Mirror
Manual Adjust
............................... 2-49
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-49
Convex
..................................... 2-50
Overdrive, Automatic Transmission
................ 2-20
Oil.
Engine
..................................... 6-9 Overhead Console
.............................. 2-50
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-46
Owner Publications
........................ 8-11 .
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-56
Park
Automatic Transmission
....................... 2-18
Shifting Into ................................. 2-30
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-33
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake ...................................... 2-29
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-49
Lots ....................................... 2-12
On Hills with a Trailer ......................... 4-52
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-34
Your Vehicle. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-33
Passing
....................................... 4-12
Payload
....................................... 4-44
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-50
Power
Accessory Outlets
............................ 2-63
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-49
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-36
Powerseat ..................................... 1-3
Lumbar Controls .............................. 1-4
Parking
9-7