Page 89 of 436

To Use the Coolant  Heater 
1. Turn  off  the  engine. 
2. Open  the  hood  and  unwrap  the  electrical cord, 
3. Plug  it into a normal,  grounded  110-volt AC outlet. 
I 
I 
Plugging  the cord  into an ungrounded  outlet 
could  cause  an electrical  shock.  Also, the  wrong 
kind 
of extension  cord  could  overheat  and cause 
a fire.  You could  be  seriously  injured.  Plug  the 
cord  into a  properly  grounded  three-prong 
110-volt 
AC outlet. If the  cord  won’t reach,  use a 
heavy-duty  three-prong  extension  cord  rated  for 
at  least 
15 amps. 
How  long  should  you  keep  the  coolant heater  plugged 
in?  The  answer  depends 
on the outside temperature, the 
kind  of oil  you  have,  and  some  other  things.  Instead 
of 
trying  to  list everything  here, we  ask  that  you  contact 
your 
GM dealer  in  the area where  you’ll be  parking  your 
vehicle.  The dealer  can give  you  the  best  advice 
for that 
particular area. 
Automatic  Transmission  Operation 
4. Before  starting  the  engine, be sure  to  unplug  and  store 
the  cord  as 
it was  before  to  keep it away  from  moving 
engine 
parts. If  you  don’t, it could  be  damaged.  There are 
several different positions for  your  shift  lever. 
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I !!i GL1U ION: 
Don’t keep  driving if the oil pressure  is  low. If 
you do, your  engine  can become so hot that  it 
catches  fire. 
You or  others  could  be  burned. 
Check  your 
oil as soon as possible  and  have  your 
vehicle serviced. 
I NOTICE: 
Damage  to  your  engine  from  neglected oil 
problems  can  be  costly and is  not  covered  by 
your warranty. 
Up Shift  Light (If Equipped) 
This light is used on 
some models with 
manual  transmissions, 
SHIFT 
The SHIFT’ indicator  light  will  help you get  the  best  fuel 
economy.  See “Shift  Light” 
or “Shift Speeds” in this 
section  for more  information. 
2-76 
.. . 
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        Page 225 of 436

a If you have an automatic transmission,  you  can tow 
in OVERDRIVE (@). You  may want to shift  the 
transmission  to THIRD 
(3) or, if necessary,  a lower 
gear selection  if the  transmission shifts  too often 
(e.g.,  under  heavy  loads  and/or hilly conditions).  If 
you  have  a manual  transmission  and  you are towing 
a trailer,  it’s better  not to use  FIFTH  (5) gear.  Just 
drive  in 
FOURTH (4) gear (or, as  you  need  to, 
a  lower gear). 
Three important considerations  have to do  with  weight: 
the weight  of the  trailer, 
the  weight  of the trailer tongue 
and  the  weight  on  your  vehicle’s  tires. 
Weight of the Trailer 
How heavy can a trailer safely be? 
It depends  on  how  you  plan  to  use  your rig. For  example, 
speed,  altitude,  road  grades, outside  temperature  and 
how  much  your  vehicle  is  used  to  pull  a trailer  are  all 
important.  And,  it  can  also  depend 
on any  special 
equipment  that  you  have  on  your  vehicle.  Use 
one of the  following charts  to determine  how  much 
your  vehicle  can  weigh,  based upon  your  vehicle  model 
and  options. 
Maximum  trailer weight  is  calculated  assuming the 
driver  and one passenger  are  in the tow  vehicle  and it 
has  all 
the required  trailering  equipment.  The weight of 
additional optional equipment,  passengers  and cargo in 
the tow  vehicle  must  be subtracted  from  the  maximum 
trailer  weight. 
Above  the 
2,000 lbs. (908 kg)  trailer rating,  the engine 
oil cooler  is  required 
on C/K-1500  and C/K-2500 
models  with  gas engines.  Refer to  the Trailering  Guide 
for  oil cooler  recommendations. 
Above  the 
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)  trailer  rating,  heavy-duty 
or  gas  shock  absorbers  are  required  on 
C- 1500  models, 
and  heavy-duty  shock  absorbers  or  the  off-road  chassis 
package  are  required  on 
K- 1500  models. 
4-47 
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        Page 234 of 436

Turn Signals  When  Towing  a  Trailer 
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 km/h)  to reduce  the 
possibility  of  engine  and  transmission  overheating.  If  you  have  an  automatic  transmission,  you  can  tow 
in 
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a). You 
may  want  to 
shift  the  transmission  to THIRD 
(3) or,  if  necessary, a 
lower  gear  selection  if the transmission  shifts  too  often 
(e.g.,  under  heavy  loads  and/or  hilly  conditions). 
If you  have  a  manual  transmission  and  you are towing  a 
trailer,  it’s  better  not  to  use 
FIFTH (5) gear.  Just drive  in 
FOURTH 
(4) gear  (or,  as  you  need  to, a  lower  gear). 
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) (or  the 
manual  transmission  out  of gear  and  the  parking  brake 
applied)  for  a  few  minutes  before  turning  the  engine 
off. 
If  you  do get  the  overheat  warning, see “Engine 
Overheating” 
in the  Index. 
4-56 
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        Page 236 of 436

When You Are  Ready to  Leave  After 
Parkine 
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. 
Trailer  Wiring  Harness 
A seven-wire  harness is stored  under  the  rear  end  of 
your  vehicle,  between 
the frame  rails. An electrical 
connector  will  need to be  installed  at the  trailer end  of 
the  harness,  by a qualified  electrical  technician.  For 
additional trailer  wiring  and  towing  information  please 
consult  your 
GM dealer.  Securely  attach  the harness  to 
the  trailer,  then  tape  or strap 
it to  your  vehicle’s frame 
rail.  Be sure  you  leave  it  loose  enough 
so the wiring 
won’t  bind  or break  when  turning  with  the  trailer,  but 
not 
so loose  that it drags  on  the  ground.  Store the 
harness  in  its original  position.  Wrap  the  harness 
together  and  tie 
it neatly so it won’t  be  damaged. If you 
tow 
a trailer,  your  Center  High-Mounted  Stoplamp 
(CHMSL)  may  not  be  properly  visible  from  behind. 
You 
should  select a trailer  with  a CHMSL  on  it  or,  if one  is 
not  available,  have one installed.  See  your 
GM dealer 
about  how  to  connect  your  vehicle’s  wiring 
to a 
trailer  CHMSL. 
Check  periodically  to  see  that  all  hitch  nuts  and bolts 
are tight. 
4-58 
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Section 6 Service  and  Appearance  Care 
Here  you  will  find  information  about  the care of  your  vehicle.  This section  begins  with  service and fuel  information, 
and  then  it  shows  how 
to check  important  fluid and  lubricant  levels. There is also technical  information  about  your 
vehicle,  and  a  part  devoted  to its  appearance  care. 
6-2 
6- 
3 
6-4 
6-5 
6-8 
6- 14 
6-  15 
6-  19 
6-2  1 
6-25 
6-26 
6-26  6-27 
6-29 
6-32 
6-32  Service 
Fuel (Gasoline  Engine) 
Fuels 
in Foreign  Countries - - Gasoline 
Engines 
Filling  Your  Tank 
Checking  Things  Under  the  Hood 
Noise  Control  System 
Engine  Oil  (Gasoline  Engine) 
Air  Cleaner  Filter (Gasoline  Engines) 
Automatic  Transmission  Fluid 
Manual  Transmission  Fluid 
Hydraulic  Clutch 
Rear  Axle 
Four-wheel  Drive 
Engine  Coolant  Radiator  Pressure  Cap (Gasoline  Engine) 
Thermostat  6-33 
6-33  6-35 
6-39 
6-39 
6-49  6-50 
6-59 
6-60 
6-64 
6-68 
6-69 
6-70  6-75 
6-76 
6-78  Power  Steering  Fluid 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid 
Brakes 
Battery 
Bulb  Replacement 
Windshield  Wiper  Blade 
R 
Tires 
Appearance  Care  .eplacement 
Cleaning  the  Inside 
of Your  Vehicle 
Cleaning 
the Outside  of  Your  Vehicle 
Appearance  Care Materials 
Chart 
Vehicle  Identification  Number  (VIN) 
Electrical  System  Replacement  Bulbs 
Capacities  and  Specifications 
Air  Conditioning  Specifications 
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        Page 287 of 436
A. Battery 
B. Air  Cleaner 
C.  Radiator  Cap 
D. Coolant  Recovery  Tank 
E. Air Filter  Restriction  Indicator 
F. Engine Oil Dipstick 
G. Automatic  Transmission  Dipstick 
H. Fan 
I. Power  Steering  Fluid  Reservoir 
J. Engine  Oil  Fill 
K. Brake  Fluid  Reservoir 
L. Windshield  Washer  Fluid  Reservoir 
M. Fuse/Relay  Center 
6-11 
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        Page 289 of 436
A. Battery 
B. Coolant  Recovery  Tank 
C.  Air  Cleaner 
D. Radiator  Cap 
E. Air  Filter  Restriction  Indicator 
E Engine  Oil  Dipstick 
G. Automatic  Transmission  Dipstick 
H. Engine  Oil  Fill 
I. Fan 
J. Power  Steering  Fluid  Reservoir 
K. Brake  Fluid  Reservoir 
L. Windshield  Washer  Fluid  Reservoir 
M. FuseRelay  Center 
6-13 
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