1998 GMC SIERRA service

The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according
to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds,
you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to oe wed rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to
go. If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
GM
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing
to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
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Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip
a short
time
to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is
it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There
is something about an easy stretch of road with the
same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road,
the drone of
the engine, and the rush of the wind against
the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in less
than n second, and you could crash and be injured.
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What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it
can happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
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. (See “Off-Road Driving” in the
Index for infolmation about driving off-road.)
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Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
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Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with
all four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles, they
should be placed on a platform trailer with all four
wheels off the ground.
In
rare cases when it's unavoidable that a
two-wheel-drive vehicle is to be towed with all 'four
wheels on the ground, the propeller shaft to axle yoke
orientation should be marked and the propeller shaft
removed following the applicable service manual
removal/installation procedure.
Dust or dirt can enter the back of the transmission
through the opening created by removing the propeller
shaft if proper protection is not provided. Also, check
the transmission fluid level before driving the truck.
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5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear and not
in
NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
-
/r CAUTIOIA:
It can be 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.
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, use the steps
that follow.
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer
case is in
NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free
to
roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear -- not
in
NEUTRAL (N).
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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11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after
a few tries, it probably
needs service.
12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have your GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your vehicle. See “Roadside Assistance’’
in
the Index.
If your vehicle has been changed since it was
factory-new, by adding such things
as fog lamps, aero
skirting, or special tires and wheels, these instructions
may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
0 That your vehicle has rear-wheel-drive, or that it has
the four-wheel-drive option.
0 The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can move the shift lever for the
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When
the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to
see
them.
transmission and transfer case, if you have one.
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Front Towing
Two- Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Tow Lirnits -- 35 nzph (55 kdh), 50 miles (80 kr.n/h)
If your vehicle is two-wheel drive, use the
following directions:
I. Engage the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
3. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing service.
(Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this.)
4. Put an automatic or a manual transmission in
NEUTRAL (N).
5. When the vehicle is hooked up, release the
parking brake.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles (Manual Transfer Case)
Tow Lirnits -- 55 rnph (88 knzdh) or legtrl speed limit,
distance
is unlimited
If your vehicle is four-wheel drive with a manual
transfer case, use the following directions:
1. Engage the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
3. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with
a clamping device designed for towing service.
(Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this.)
4. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P), or a
manual transmission
in FIRST (1).
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5. Put the transfer case in NEUTRAL (N). See
“Four-wheel Drive” in the Index
for the proper
procedure to select NEUTRAL
(N).
6. When the vehicle is hooked up, release the
parking brake.
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
5. Put the transfer case in 2 High (2HI).
6. When the vehicle is hooked up, release the
parking brake.
Four- Wheel Drive-Vehicles (Electronic
Transfer Case)
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (55 krdh), 50 miles (80 krn/l1)
If your vehicle is four-wheel drive with an electronic
transfer case, use the following directions:
1. Engage the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
3. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing service.
(Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this.)
NOTICE:
If your vehicle is equipped with an electronic
transfer case and the tow limits must be
exceeded, a towing dolly must be used under the rear wheels or vehicle/powertrain damage
will occur.
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Rear Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Tow Limits -- 55 ~zph (88 krdh) or legal speed limit,
distmce is ditnited
If your vehicle is two-wheel drive, use the
following directions:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Engage the parking brake.
Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahedd position
with a clamping device designed for towing service.
(Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this.)
Put an automatic transmission
in PARK (P), or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
When the vehicle is hooked up, release the
parking brake.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles (Manual Transfer Case)
If your vehicle is four-wheel drive with a manual
transfer case, use the following directions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Engage the parking brake.
Turn the ignition
key to ON.
Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing service.
(Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this.)
Put an automatic transmission
in PARK (P), or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
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