1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER coolant temperature

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 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
Your automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located on the console between the seats
or on the
steering column.
There
are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with a column shift lever, it
features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the shift lever is capable
of being moved out of
PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF, but
not locked, there will be
a small current drain on your
battery which could discharge your battery over a period
of time. If you need to leave your key in the ignition in
OFF for an extended period, it is recommended that you
disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent
discharging your battery. PARK
(P): This
locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You
or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on
fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a nailer’’ in
the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays
on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on,
you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s a problem with your regular brakes.
See
“Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
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 driving
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 show you what
to do. See “Engine Overheating’’ in the Index.
2-72

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service 4WD Light
SERVICE
4WD
This light should come on
briefly when you
turn on the
ignition, as a check
to show
you it is working.
~~~ ~ ~
The SERVICE 4WD light comes on to indicate that
there may be
a problem with the drive system and
service is required. Malfunctions can be indicated
by the
system before any problem is apparent, which may
prevent serious damage to the vehicle. This system is
also designed to assist your service technician in
correctly diagnosing a malfunction.
Check Gages Light
CHECK
GAGES
The CHECK GAGES light
will come on briefly when
you are starting the engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check your coolant temperature and engine oil pressure
gages to see
if they are in the warning zones.
Gate Ajar Light
This light will come on
GATE
AJAR
-
briefly when you are
starting the engine.
I
If it stays on, your liftgate is ajar. Try closing the liftgate
again. Never drive with the liftgate even partially open.
2-77

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine With the automatic setting, the air conditioning
compressor automatically cycles when needed to cool
the air. In cold weather, when the system senses the need
for heat, the airflow will be directed out the floor
outlets.
As the interior temperature approaches a desired
setting, the blower speed will decrease. To maintain
interior comfort, the airflow will adjust between the
instrument panel air outlets and floor outlets. On bright
sunny days in cool weather, the airflow may come out of
the air conditioning and floor outlets (bi-level mode) to
maintain comfort and prevent stuffiness.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the time
since the engine was last started. As the coolant warms
up, the blower fan speed will gradually increase and air
will flow from the heater outlets, with some airflow to
the windshield to prevent fogging under most
normal conditions.
If your vehicle
is sitting out on a warm day and you
have the fan set
on AUTO, the air will first flow out of
the floor air outlets for a few seconds. That is normal.
This
is to expel hot air from the air outlets. As the air is
cooled, the airflow will move through the air
conditioning outlets. Be careful
not to put anything over the solar sensor
located around the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.
Mode Knob - Manual Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
You can choose to set the climate control system
operations yourself, or let the system work for
you
by placing the system in AUTO mode. See “Mode
Knob
- Automatic Operation” earlier in this section.
+.
fl PANEL: This setting directs most of the air
through the instrument panel outlets and a small amount
through the floor outlets.
+H BI-LEVEL: Air is delivered through the heater
floor outlets as well as the instrument panel outlets.
+’ HEATER: This setting directs most of the
warmed air through the heater floor outlets and some
air through the windshield defroster outlets.
+.
e
3-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle
to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use MAX A/C
with the temperature knob turned to the left. This setting
should be used to keep odors and/or dust from entering
the vehicle. For normal cooling
on hot days, use A/C
with the temperature knob turned to the left.
On vehicles equipped with the Electronic Climate
Control system, this same performance can be achieved
as long as the A/C is enabled and the outside air button
is not active.
Heating
On cool but sunny days, use BI-LEVEL A/C to deliver
warm air to the
floor and cooler air to the instrument
panel outlets.
When the air conditioner is on, you may sometimes
notice slight changes in your vehicle’s engine speed and
power. This is normal because the system is designed
to cycle the compressor on and off to keep the
desired temperature.
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days,
use HEATER with the
temperature knob turned
to the right. BLEND is useful
in cool weather when
you have fog or ice on the
windshield or side windows.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use
VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Airflow is through the instrument
panel outlets.
Your vehicle’s ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside
of your vehicle when it is moving. When the
vehicle is
not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any mode and any fan speed.
3-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
transmission. Or, if
you have a manual transmission,
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.
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet, or into gear for a manual
transmission. Then turn your wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P), or
REVERSE
(R) for a manual transmission.
If
you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a
manual transfer case shift lever, be sure the transfer
case is
in a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N).
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:
0 Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 R.elease the parking brake.
4-49

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. See “Gages” in the Index.
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: I
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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line
up like this.
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster
to provide
more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch is not engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing and/or high outside temperatures,
the fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So you
may hear an increase
in fan noise. This is normal and
should
not be mistaken as the transmission slipping or
making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will slow down when
additional cooling is
not required and the
clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch disengages.
5-20