1997 GMC SAVANA overheating

Listed are four situations you may experience with your
fuel gage:
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
gage reads FULL (F).
0 It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but
it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill
the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to EMPTY (E) when you
None of these indicate a problem with the fuel gage.
turn off
the ignition.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
W
TEMP
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area your engine is
too
hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If
you have been operating your vehicle under normal
operating conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Making Turns
I NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
limn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal flasher (included in
the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about
to turn, change lanes or stop. When towing
a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer
are 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 are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 kmh) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission overheating.
When towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on
level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK
(P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine
off. If you do
get the overheat warning, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
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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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Engine Overheating
(Gasoline Engine)
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your vehicle’s
instrument panel.
If you have a diesel engine, you will also
find a low coolant light on your instrument panel.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
If Steam Is Coming From 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.
I 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
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Rear Axle Engine Coolant
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the
bottom
of the filler plug
hole, you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom
of the filler
plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in
the Index. The cooling
s stem in your vehicle
is filled with
DEX-COOL
8 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 sysre~ 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 DEX-COOL’ coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
lbrning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
-
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill
it.
I
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap must be tightly installed with
the
arrows on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap and
must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the
overflow tube on the radiator filler neck.
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2. Press down on the blade assembly pivot locking tab.
Pull down on the blade assembly to release it from
the wiper
arm hook.
insert has two notches at one end that are locked by
bottom claws of the blade assembly. At the notched
end, pull the insert from the blade assembly.
4. To install the new wiper insert, slide the notched end
last, into the end with two blade claws. Slide the
insert all the way through the blade claws at the
opposite end.
5. Be sure that the notches are locked by the bottom
claws. Make sure that all other claws are properly
locked on both sides of the insert slot.
6. Put the blade assembly pivot in the wiper arm hook. Pull
up until the pivot locking tab locks in the hook slot.
7. Carefully lower the wiper am and blade assembly
into the windshield.
3. Remove the insert from the blade assembly. The
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your
GM Warranty booklet for details.
I--
& CAUTI-”’: I
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading 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.
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
0 Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be
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Electrical Equipment. Adding .................... 6-59
Electrical System ............................... 6-5.9
Electronic Road Speed Governor (Gasoline Engines) ... 2-60
Engine ........................................ 6-9
Coolant ..................................... 6-22
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-45
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-59
Cooling System
.............................. 6-65
Exhaust ..................................... 2-28
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-63
Identification ........................... 6.58. 6.65
OilLevelCheck .............................. 7-45
Overheating
................................. 5- 12
Running While Parked ......................... 2-28
Starting Your
................................ 2- 17
Engine Oil
.................................... 6-12
Adding ..................................... 6-12
Additives ................................... 6-16
Checking ................................... 6-13
Pressure Gage ................................ 2-57
Used
....................................... 6-16
Whentochange .............................. 6-16
Exhaust. Engine ................................ 2-28
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-50
Fan Control. Climate Control System ................ 3-2
FillingYourTank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-17
Finish Care .................................... 6-54
Finish Damage ................................. 6-56
First Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-22
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-23
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-51
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual 11
Front Parkingnurn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .... 6-35
Front Storage Area .............................. 2-44
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canada ...................................... 6-5
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-58
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Tankcapacity ............................... 6-66
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-60
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-59
Engine Oil Pressure ........................... 2-57
Fuel
....................................... 2-58
Speedometer ................................. 2-49
Voltmeter
................................... 2-60
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2-20
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-28
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-27
Guide en Franqais
11
GAWR ....................................... 4-28
.. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-27
9-4
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