1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top
of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level
on the dipstick.
The level should be between
the ADD and FULL marks.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
1 to the proper range.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY with
the washer symbol on it. Add washer fluid until the
tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water
can cause the solution to freeze
and damage
your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake .Fluid
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.
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
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid What to Add
You can check the brake
fluid without taking off
the cap.
Just look at 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 the MIN but
not over
the MAX mark or the top of the window
on the side
of the reservoir. When
you do
need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 1 l@ (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.
6-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads 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.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel
nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of this
manual under
Part C “Periodic Maintenance Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new vehicle has an ACDelco Freedom@ battery.
You never have to add water to one of these. When it’s
time for a new battery, we recommend an ACDelco
Freedom battery. Get one that has the replacement
number shown
on the original battery’s label.
6-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
hu
r t.
CAUTION:
Battel s have acid that can burn you 2 B gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt
if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
HISO, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lamps
are off and the engine isn’t running. See “Replacement
Bulbs” in the Index.
For
any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your
GM dealer’s service department.
Halogen Bulbs
1 A CAUTIOI.:
I
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
6-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine One-Piece Composite Headlamp System
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the black retainer clips by lifting up.
3. Pull the headlamp assembly out.
4. Unplug the electrical connector.
5. Turn the bulb assembly to the left to remove it.
6. Put the new bulb assembly into the headlamp
assembly and
turn it to the right until it is tight.
7. Plug in the electrical connector.
8. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle. Install
the two retaining clips.
6-34