1998 GMC SAVANA cooling

It can be dangerous to drive with the rear doors
open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the rear doors open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the rear doors:
Make sure all windows are shut.
0 Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting on VENT, HEAT,
BLEND or DEF.
Additionally, on vehicles with heatindair
conditioning systems,
NORM A/C or
BI-LEVEL
A/C can be used. That will
force outside air into your vehicle. See
“Comfort Controls’’ in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can
make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways
you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a tone reminding
you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your ignition
and transmission. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables
out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
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A CAUTION:
It can be dan
swing-out windows or rear door(s) open because
carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your
vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the rear swing-out
windows or rear door(s) open or
if electrical
wiring or other cable connections must pass
through the seal between the body and the rear
swing-out windows or rear door(s):
0 Make sure all windows are shut.
CAUTION: (Continued)
’ CAUTION: (Continued: -
0 Thrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on VENT, HEAT, BLEND or DEF.
Additionally, on vehicles with heatingair
conditioning systems,
NORM A/C or
BI-LEVEL A/C can be used. That will
force outside
air into your vehicle. See
“Comfort Controls” in the Index.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the
way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Horn
Press the horn symbol in the middle of the steering
wheel to sound the horn.
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Comfort Controls Fan Knob
This section tells you how to make your air system
work for you. Your comfort control system uses
ozone-friendly
R- 134a refrigerant.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation
in your van. Your vehicle also
has a flow-through ventilation system described later
in this section.
Heater Controls
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like
this.
The knob on the left side of the heating system control
panel controls the fan speed. The knob has four speed
positions.
To increase airflow, move the knob toward
HI. To decrease airflow, move it toward LO. To turn the
fan off, move the mode knob on the far right
to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
relative temperature of the air flowing into
the passenger area
of your vehicle. This knob will allow
you to adjust the
relative air temperature independently
of the function knob
setting. Move the knob toward the red area for warmer air.
Move the knob toward the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob changes the heater setting.
/.I VENT This setting directs air through the
instrument panel vents.
+H BI-LEVEL: Use this setting to divide airflow
between the heater floor vents and instrument panel vents.
+fl HEAT This setting directs air through the heater
floor vents. This setting is useful for cold weather.
=+a
+e
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w.
?# HEAT/DEFROST Use this setting to divide
airflow between the heater floor vents and windshield.
DEFROST This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. This setting is useful when
you have fog or ice on the windshield.
Heater/Air Conditioning Controls
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heatedair
conditioning controls will look like this.
Before using your vehicle’s air conditioning, open
the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the heating system control
panel controls the fan speed. The knob has four speed
positions. To increase airflow, move the knob toward
HI. To decrease airflow, move it toward LO. To turn the
fan off, move the mode knob on
the far right to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
relative temperature
of the air flowing into the passenger
area of your vehicle. This knob will allow
you to adjust
the relative air temperature independently of the
function knob setting. Move the knob toward the red
area for warmer air. Move the
knob toward the blue area
for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel changes the
heatedair conditioning setting.
MAX A/C: Move the right knob to MAX A/C for
maximum cooling. This setting puts the system in the
recirculation mode and helps to maximize your air
conditioner’s performance and your vehicle’s
fuel
economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest. After
the vehicle’s interior reaches a comfortable temperature,
move the knob to the right to place the air conditioning
system in the
A/C mode.
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A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools
outside air and directs it through the instrument
panel outlets.
’’ BI-LEVEL A/C: Use this setting to divide aifflow
between the heater floor vents and instrument panel
vents. The air conditioning compressor may operate in
this setting to cool the air.
*a
/.I VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel vents.
+’ HEAT This setting directs air through the heater
floor vents. This setting is useful for cold weather.
+# HEATDEFROST: Use this setting to divide
airflow between the heater floor vents and windshield.
+a
0
w.
DEFROST: This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. This setting is useful when
you have fog or ice on the windshield.
Rear Heater (Without Air Conditioning)
If you have a rear heater (without rear air conditioning),
the control switch
is located on the instrument panel.
To increase and decrease the flow of heated air to the
rear floor vents, move the switch marked
REAR HEAT
to the blower speed you want.
The knob has three speed positions. To increase the flow
of heated air, move the switch toward
HIGH. To turn the
fan off, move the switch
to OFF.
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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
0 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
0 Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing
to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to
a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
/r CAUTION:
If’ you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor braking
or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
1
A CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition
off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get
so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash.
Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you
go downhill.
a
0
0
0
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and
you can climb the hill better.
Stay
in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or
cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something
in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that warn
of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no-passing zones,
a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
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Safety Chains Driving with a Trailer
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
-- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull
a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
0
0
0
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive
with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside
air into your vehicle. Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls’’ in the Index.)
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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. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and then shift to
PARK (P).
5. 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:
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.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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