1997 GMC SAVANA cooling

Both rear doors can be opened past 90 degrees by
opening the doors past the first detent
(90 degrees open),
then opening fully.
To close the rear doors, close the driver side rear door
first. Then, close the passenger side rear door. Check to
make sure both doors are completely closed.
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear doors
open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you must drive with the rear doors open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
rear doors:
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Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on VENT, HEAT, BLEND or DEF.
Additionally, on vehicles with heatingair
conditioning systems,
NORM A/C or
BI-LEV
A/C can be used. That will force
outside
air into your vehicle. See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
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Rear Swing-Out Window
To close the window, pull the latch toward you and push
down
on the latch to lock it. Your rear swing-out
windows work the same way, but the latch is
at the
bottom edge
of the window.
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear
swing-out windows or rear door(s) open because
carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your
vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the rear swing-out
windows or rear door(s) open or
if electrical
wiring or other cable connections must pass
through the seal between the body and the rear
swing-out windows or rear door(s):
0 Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting on
VENT, HEAT, BLEND or DEF. Additionally,
on vehicles with heatingair conditioning
systems,
NORM A/C or BI-LEV A/C can be
used. That will force outside air into your
vehicle. See
“Comfort Controls” in the Index.
instrument panel, open them
all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
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Comfort Controls Fan Knob
This section tells you how to make your air system The left knob of
the heating system control panel
work for
you. Your comfort control system uses controls the fan speed.
The knob has four speed
ozone-friendly
R- 134a refrigerant. positions. To increase
airflow, move the knob toward
With these systems, you can control the heating, fan off, move the mode knob on the far right to
OFF.
cooling and ventilation in your van. Your vehicle also
has a flow-through ventilation system described later
Temperature Knob
in this section.
The middle knob panel lets you select the relative
Heater Controls temperature of the air flowing into the passenger area
of your vehicle. This
knob will allow you to adjust the
relative air temperature independently of the function
knob setting. Move the knob clockwise toward the red
area for warmer air. Move the knob counter clockwise
toward the blue area for cooler air.
HI. To decrease airflow, move it toward LO. To turn the
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like this.
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Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the heating system control
panel controls the
€an speed. The knob has four speed
positions.
To increase airflow, move the knob toward
HI. To decrease airflow, move it toward LO.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
relative temperature of the air flowing into the passenger
area of your vehicle. This knob will allow you to adjust
the relative air temperature independently of the
function knob setting. Move the knob clockwise toward
the red area for warmer air. Move the knob
counterclockwise toward the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel changes the
heatedair conditioning setting.
MAX A/C: Move the right knob to MAX A/C for
maximum cooling. This setting puts the system in the
recirculation mode and helps to maximize your air
conditioner’s performance and your vehicle’s fuel
economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest. After
the vehicle’s interior reaches a comfortable temperature,
move the knob clockwise to place
the air conditioning
system in the
A/C mode.
A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools outside air and directs it through the instrument
panel outlets.
’# BI-LEVEL A/C: Use this setting to divide
airflow between the heater floor vents and instrument
panel vents. The air conditioning compressor
may
operate in this setting to cool the air.
/J VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel vents.
+H HEAR This setting directs air through the heater
floor vents. This setting is useful for cold weather.
+H HEATLIEFROST: Use this setting to divide
airflow between the heater floor vents and windshield.
I,.
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DEFROST This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. This setting is useful when
you have fog
or ice on the windshield.
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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
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Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some
of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
I A CAUTION:
I
If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would
then have poor braking or even none going
down
a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on
a steep
downhill slope.
A CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition
off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work
of slowing down. They could get
so hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would
then have poor braking or even none going down
a hill. You could crash. Always have your engine
running and your vehicle in gear when you
go downhill.
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Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to
a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.
You may
see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples
are long grades, passing or
no-passing zones,
a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer.
Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Driving with a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then
it needs its own brakes -- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can’t see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See
“ Comfort
Controls’’ in the Index.)
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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
PARK (P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the curb
if facing downhill or into ttaffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
4. Re-apply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and
then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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;
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 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.
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Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5 -2
5-3
5-3
5- 12
5-a
Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engine) 5-14
Cooling System 5-22 If a Tire Goes Flat
5-23 Changing a Flat Tire
5-37 If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
5-22 Engine
Fan Noise
5-1
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