1999 GMC C-SERIES steering

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5-34
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part tells you what to do.
Changing a Flat Tire
A flat or damaged tire can be a major roadside problem.
You're very likely to have to go for help. Few drivers of
these vehicles have the necessary equipment aboard to
be able to change a flat tire safely. For example, youhave to have a truck jack that can lift several thousand
pounds and a torque wrench that can generate several
hundred foot
-pounds (newton-meters) of twisting force.
So if you're stopped somewhere by a flat or damaged
tire or wheel, you should get expert help right then.
If the correct equipment is available, though, here is the
procedure to follow.

Does the tire still seem to have air under pressure in
it? If so, stand to the side and look at the wheel. See
if it looks like another wheel on the vehicle. If so, go
on to the next step. If it doesn't, or even if you can't
be sure, stop and get expert help.
CAUTION:
Tire-rim assemblies can explode. If you work on
a pressurized tire mounted on a damaged wheel,
the assembly can expand with explosive force
without warning. You and others nearby can be
badly injured. Don't work around a tire that has
air under pressure in it when its wheel is or might
be damaged.
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5-38
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
your wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle.
If that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may
need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,
see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
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6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-4 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
6
-6 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-7 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Noise Control System
6
-13 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
6
-17 Engine Oil (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-19 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-20 Rear Axle
6
-20 Rear Axle Shift Motor (Option)
6
-21 Radiator Pressure Cap (Gasoline Engines)
6
-22 Surge Tank Pressure Cap (Diesel Engines)
6
-22 Thermostat6
-23 Engine Coolant (Gasoline Engine)
6
-27 Engine Coolant (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)
6
-28 Power Steering Fluid
6
-29 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-30 Brakes
6
-36 Electric/Hydraulic Parking Brake Fluid
6
-42 Battery
6
-44 Other Service Items
6
-48 Tires
6
-59 Appearance Care
6
-59 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-63 Cleaning the Outside Your Vehicle
6
-66 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-67 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-67 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-68 Electrical System
6
-74 Capacities and Specifications
6
-77 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
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6-28
Power Steering Fluid
See your Maintenance Schedule for when to check your
power steering fluid.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the engine is
warm. If the engine isn't warm, you probably won't get
an accurate reading.
Vehicles with diesel engines
have a sight glass. If you
can see fluid in the glass,
you have enough.Other models have a cap with a dipstick. If you have
one, unscrew the cap and check the dipstick. It should be
between ADD and FULL (if the engine is warm).
If you need to add some, put in only enough of the
correct fluid to bring the level up to the FULL mark (if
you have the dipstick) or so you can see fluid in the
glass, if you have a sight glass.
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6-29 What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can
cause the PRIMARY BRAKE or AUX BRAKE
warning lights to come on. If either light remains
on after you have added power steering fluid to
the proper level, then shut off the engine for
10 seconds. This should reset the brake warning
lights. If one or both lights stay on, though,
then see ªHydraulic Brake Warning Lightsº in
the Index.
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.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
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6-39
ITEM NO. ITEM REMARKS
1 Brake Camshaft
, Brake Caliper
Rails (If Equipped)$One fitting each (apply sparingly). For caliper rails,
apply Aero Shell #5 Lubricant.
2 Steering Column Slip Joint* One fitting.
3 Steering Drag Link Ends One fitting at each end.
4 Steering Column U
-Joints One fitting each joint.
5 Pivot Points and Hinges Apply chassis lubricant.
6 Slack Adjuster
One fitting.
7 Brake Cam Roller Pins at interface
of pin and shoe
Apply engine oil.
8 Front Steering Knuckles One fitting each side, lower bushing (hand
-operated
grease gun only). Hand
-pack upper bearing.
9 Front Wheel Bearings Hand
-pack or lubricate.
10 Steering Tie Rod Ends One fitting each end.
11 Spring Slip Pads*
(Multi
-Leaf Only)Apply chassis lubricant.
12 Clutch Release Bearing* Cup or fitting.
13 Battery Terminal
(except ªSTº type)Keep coated with petroleum jelly.
14 Parking Brake Bell Crank*$ One fitting.
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6-51 When It's Time for New Tires
Replace your tires when the tread depth is down to
1/8 of an inch (3.2 mm) for the front tires, or 1/16 of
an inch (1.6 mm) for a rear tire. Also, you need a new
tire if:

You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different types
-- like
radial and bias
-belted tires -- the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Be sure to use the same type of tires all around.
When you replace tires, make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned at the
factory to give you the longest tire life and best
overall performance.
Proper front wheel alignment must be maintained in
order to ensure efficient steering, good directional
stability, and prevent abnormal tire wear. If you notice
unusual tire wear or your vehicle is pulling one way or
the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you
notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, your wheels may need to be balanced.
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6-69 Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes.
This protects the circuit until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
maxi
-fuses and fusible links. This greatly reduces the
chance of a fire caused by an electrical problem. There
may be a fuse taped to the wiring harness inside the
battery box and one near the generator also taped to the
wiring harness.
There are two circuit breaker/fuse blocks in your
vehicle: the instrument panel circuit breaker block and
the maxi
-fuse block.
Instrument Panel Circuit Breaker Block
This fuse block is in the lower portion of the instrument
panel, to the left of the steering column.
To open the door, pull up
and outward on the recessed
door handle and the door
will snap out.
To install the door, place the lower door into the bottom
retainer and push the top of the door in until it snaps
into place.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare circuit breaker, you can borrow one of the correct
value. Just pick some feature of your vehicle that you
can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its circuit breaker if it is of the value
you need. Remember to replace the circuit breaker as
soon as you can.
These circuit breakers are non
-cycling; do not replace
them with cycling circuit breakers. Also, don't use
circuit breakers of higher amperage than those indicated
on the circuit breaker block.
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