1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN instrument panel

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2-70
Instrument Panel Cluster
United States version shown, Canadian similar
Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, about how much fuel you have and many other things you'll need to know to drive safely
and economically.

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2-73 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see ªAir
Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds 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.
Charging System Warning Light
The charging system
warning light should come
on briefly when you turn on
the ignition, before starting
the engine, as a check to
show you it is working.
After the engine starts, the light should go out. If it stays
on or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with your charging system. It could indicate a
problem with the generator drive belt, or some other
charging system problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light on, it
helps to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and the air conditioner.

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3-2
Comfort Controls
Heater Control System
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 knob 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 adjustthe relative air temperature independently of the
function knob setting. Move the knob clockwise to
the red area for warmer air. Move the knob
counterclockwise to the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery. The control knob
can be placed in any position between any two mode
settings to blend the flow of air.
VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
VENT/HEAT: Use this setting to divide airflow
between the floor outlets and instrument panel outlets.
HEATER: This setting directs air through the
floor outlets.
DEFOG: This setting directs air to the heater
outlets and toward the windshield.
DEFROST: This setting directs air toward
the windshield.

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3-3 Heater and Air Conditioning Control
System (If Equipped)
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 knob to OFF. If you have the air
conditioner on, moving the fan knob to OFF also turns
off the A/C compressor.
While driving with the fan knob in OFF, ram airflow
will vent to the floor outlets. The mode knob will not
redirect ram airflow to other selected outlet positions.
This is a normal operation for the OFF position.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 clockwise to the
red area for warmer air. Move the knob
counterclockwise to the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery. The control knob
can be placed in any position between any two mode
settings to blend the flow of air.
VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
VENT/HEAT: Use this setting to divide airflow
between the floor outlets and instrument panel outlets.
HEATER: This setting directs air through the
floor outlets.
DEFOG: This setting directs air to the heater
outlets and toward the windshield.

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3-5
To use the rear control, first turn the front control knob
to REAR CNTL.
Then, the rear control can be used to increase and
decrease the airflow.Rear Heater (Without Rear Air Conditioning)
(If Equipped)
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
decrease the flow of heated air, move it toward LOW. To
turn the fan off, move the switch to OFF.

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3-8 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel outlets.
Your vehicle's ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehicle when it is moving. With the
side windows closed, air will flow into the front air
inlet grilles, through the vehicle, and out the air
exhaust valves.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running, unless you have the
recirculation button pushed in. For more information on
the recirculation button, see ªAir Conditioningº earlier
in this section.
Your vehicle has air outlets in the center and on the sides
of your instrument panel. You can move the outlets from
side
-to-side or up and down to direct the flow of air, or
close the outlets altogether. When you close an outlet, it
will increase the flow of air coming out of any outlets
that are open. These outlets do not completely shut off
airflow when in a closed vent position.

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4-54 Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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.
You should tow in AUTOMATIC 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).
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) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get the
overheat warning, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.

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5-9
Engine Overheating
(Gasoline Engine)
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. See ªEngine Coolant
Temperature Gageº in the Index.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
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.
NOTICE:
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.