2003 GMC SAFARI heating

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, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-28.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
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.
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 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.
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Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood.....................5-9
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Cover...............................................5-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................5-37Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-48
Rear Axle.......................................................5-49
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-51
Front Turn Signal Lamps...............................5-54
Taillamps.....................................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-57
Inflation -- Tire Pressure................................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-58
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-60
Buying New Tires.........................................5-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-63
Wheel Replacement......................................5-63
Tire Chains..................................................5-64
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-64
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-65
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-75
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmissionfluid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-34.
Addfluid only after checking the transmissionfluid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
thefluid level is low, add only enough of the properfluid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take muchfluid, generally less than one pint
(0.5 L).Don’t overfill.
Notice:We recommend you use onlyuid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, becauseuid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused byuid other than DEXRON
®-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
•After addingfluid, recheck thefluid level as
described under“How to Check.”
•When the correctfluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; thenflip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle isfilled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occursfirst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-28.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−34°F(−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL®is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner -- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occursrst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®is not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
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{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure cap–
even a little–when the engine and radiator are
hot.
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-30.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap
is located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle.
Notice:Your radiator cap is a 15.6 psi (110 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overow tube on the radiatorller.
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Engine Overheating
You willfind an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-29.
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 catchre. 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 catchesre because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
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Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GMC Warranty booklet for details.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See“Loading Your
Vehicle”in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact—such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
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Check
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-35
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood
....................... 5-9
Checking Your Restraint Systems
......................1-68
Chemical Paint Spotting
...................................5-82
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
...............................1-44
Infants and Young Children
...........................1-38
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
..........................1-52
Older Children
.............................................1-35
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat
Position
..................................................1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position
...........................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position
...........................................1-58
Top Strap
...................................................1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................1-50
Where to Put the Restraint
...........................1-47
Cigarette Lighter
.............................................3-17Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-77
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-79
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-82
Weatherstrips..............................................5-79
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-81
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-80
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-77
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-78
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-78
Cleaning Leather............................................5-78
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-78
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-81
Cleaning Tires................................................5-81
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-78
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Rear ..........................................................3-21
Rear Air Conditioning System........................3-20
Rear Heating System...................................3-19
Compact Disc Messages..................................3-44
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-75
Composite Headlamps.....................................5-51
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-45
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-21
Cooling System..............................................5-30
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2003 - Safari OM

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-85
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-85
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-85
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-85
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-32
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Cooling System Inspection............................6-32
Cover........................................................5-17
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-27
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-27Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-37
Except Cargo Vans.................................1-38, 1-47
Exit Lighting...................................................3-15
Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-34
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finding a Station....................................3-38, 3-41
Finish Care....................................................5-80
Finish Damage...............................................5-82
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-49
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-64
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-65
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer
......................................5-37
FM
...............................................................3-49
Following Distance
..........................................4-37
Front Axle
......................................................5-49
Front Doors
..................................................... 2-8
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2003 - Safari OM