1997 GMC SIERRA brake fluid

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is here. It
is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are
only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason
is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system.
If it is, you should have
your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
I
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the window on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid level should be above
MIN. If it isn't, have your
brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above
MIN and below the top of
the window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme ll@ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
' A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well,
or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a ~
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
6-36
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts.
For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash
it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
If you have a C 3500 HD model, it has four-wheel disc
brakes without wear indicators.
If you ever hear a brake
rubbing noise, have the brake linings inspected.
If your pickup is not a
C 3500 HD model, it has front
disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Disc brake pads
(except
C 3500 HD models) 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).
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.
ProCarManuals.com

FuseKircuit Breaker
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
A
B
Usage
DRL Relay, Fog Lamp Relay
Front and Rear Turn Signals,
Back-up Lamps, BTSI Solenoid
Radio (Ignition)
LCWALNCM, ABS, Cruise Control
Radio (Battery)
PRNDL, Automatic Transmission, Speedometer, Check Gages
Warning Light
Variable Effort Steering
Not Used
Not Used
Front Axle, 4WD Indicator Lamp,
TP2 Relay (Gasoline Engine)
Power Door Lock, Six-Way Power
Seat, Keyless Entry Module
Power Windows
Underhood Fusemelay Center
The underhood fusehelay center is located in the rear
of the engine compartment near the brake fluid
reservoir. Move the retainer clips for the cover to
access the fuse block.
You can remove fuses with
a fuse extractor. The fuse
extractor
is mounted to the interior fuse block. To
remove fuses
if you don’t have a fuse extractor, hold the
end of the fuse between your thumb and index finger
and
pull straight out.
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean
and repack the front wheel bearings (or at
each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
0 Vehicles With GVWR Above 8,500 lbs.
Only: Inspect shields and underhood
insulation for damage or looseness. Adjust
or replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission
Control Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in
the United States.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
** .)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-11
ProCarManuals.com

1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
27.000 Miles (45 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
**.)
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
**.)
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean
and repack the front wheel bearings (or at
each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
0 Replace fuel filter. An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote?.)
(Continued)
u 44
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -= Gasoline Engines I
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel bearings (or at
each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
0 Vehicles With GVWR Above 8,500 lbs.
Only: Inspect shields and underhood
insulation for damage or looseness. Adjust
or replace as required. This is a Noise Emission
Control Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in
the United States.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfiont axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals
for leaking. (See footnote **.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
7-17
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
* * .)
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
**.)
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel bearings (or at
each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
7-20
ProCarManuals.com