1999 GMC C-SERIES tow

yellowblue
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.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-13
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is located on the passenger's side
of the engine compartment.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-43
Windshield Wiper Blade
Insert Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in Section 7 of this manual under Part B ªOwner
Checks and Servicesº for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
Here's how to remove the Sheppard's Hook type:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver's side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-44
Other Service Items
Component Box
Your vehicle has a component box along the left frame rail.
What is in the box depends on what options are on your
vehicle. Normally, the fuel filter, air dryer, Luberfiner oil
filter, emission canister or other components are in there.
To get into the box, you first have to remove the top
cover. To do that, remove the two 8 mm bolts on top and
the single 8 mm bolt at the top front. Then, pull the
cover toward you and lift it off.You can then remove the front cover if you need to, by
removing the two 8 mm bolts and pulling it off.
When you're through, be sure to put the front cover on,
before you put on the top cover.
Fuel Filter (Gasoline Engines)
The steel fuel filter is located inside the component box
at the rear. See your Maintenance Schedule for
recommended service intervals.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional Davco
spin
-on type filter, it is also located in the component box.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-57
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts become
loose after a time. The wheel could come off and
cause an accident. When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from the places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth or paper towel to do this; but
be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
How Often to Check
Wheel tightness is so important you should have a
technician check nut tightness on all wheels with a
torque wrench every 1,000 miles (1 600 km).
When your vehicle is new or when a wheel or fastener is
new you should have a technician tighten the wheel
stud and rim clamp nuts, with a torque wrench, at
100, 500 and 1,000 miles (160, 800 and 1 600 km).
The reason for this is that the clamping system has to
seat before the fasteners will stay tightened.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, replace the wheel.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
CAUTION:
A leaking wheel could fail without warning. A
wheel designed for tubeless tires could be leaking
because it is damaged. Don't use an inner tube or
some other thing to try to stop the leaking. Get a
new wheel of the proper type.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-60

Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a
clean area often. A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.

If a ring forms on fabric after spot cleaning, clean the
entire area immediately or it will set.
Using Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner
on Fabric
1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
3. Mix powdered cleaner following the directions on
the container label to form thick suds.
4. Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge. Don't
saturate the material and don't rub it roughly.
5. As soon as you've cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
6. Wipe cleaned area with a clean, damp towel or cloth.
7. Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems
Stains caused by such things as catsup, coffee (black),
egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urine and
blood can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
2. If a stain remains, follow the multi
-purpose interior
cleaner instructions described earlier.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with a water/baking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. Let dry.
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. First, clean with cool water and allow to
dry completely.
3. If a stain remains, follow instructions for
Multi
-Purpose Interior Cleaner.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-63
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle's finish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or
cold water.
Don't wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don't use strong soaps or
chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,
removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM
-approved cleaning products from your dealer. (See
ªAppearance Care and Materialsº in the Index.) Don't
use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or that
contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents should be
flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface,
or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all
-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a vehicle
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow
instructions under ªWashing Your Vehicle.º
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM
-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See ªAppearance Care and Materialsº
in the Index.)
Your vehicle may have a ªbasecoat/clearcoatº paint
finish. The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the
colored basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that
are non
-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
8-5
Roadside Assistance
GM Medium Duty Truck's Roadside Assistance
provides stranded owners with towing service for
disabled vehicles.This service combines the efforts of trained telephone
representatives with a network of GM Medium Duty
Truck's dealer services.
Just dial Medium Duty Roadside Assistance at
1
-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782) to reach a
qualified representative who can assist you in a repair
or arrange a tow. Other recommended services can
also be arranged for situations such as retrieving
locked
-in keys, changing a tire or delivering gasoline,
at a charge to the owner. We also provide dealer
information at no charge such as location of the nearest
authorized medium duty GM Truck dealer and their
hours of operation.
Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, 365 days a year, including weekends and
holidays. Should you have any questions about Roadside
Assistance, call the GMC Roadside Assistance Center or
contact your dealer.
Warranty Information
Your vehicle comes with a separate warranty booklet
that contains detailed warranty information.
ProCarManuals.com