The seat cushion can also be raised or lowered.
The seat cushion height
adjustment handle is
located underneath the
front of the seat.
To adjust the height of the cushion, lift the handle up and
pull it forward. You can choose between two settings.Chugger-Snubber Lock-Out Feature
If your vehicle has this
feature, the handle is
located on the outboard
side of the driver’s
and passenger’s seats.
Move the handle down to reduce any backslap
experienced while in tractor/trailer operation or while
operating a dump truck application.
1-7
Overdrive Defeat
If your vehicle has this feature, you can select not to
shift up to fifth gear. This is useful when towing or under
a heavy load.
The overdrive defeat
switch is located in the
instrument panel to
the right of the
steering column.
Press the switch to limit the transmission to fourth gear.
This will allow for fewer downshifts while pulling a
trailer or under a heavy load. The indicator light in the
switch will come on whenever overdrive defeat is active.
Manual Transmission Operation
Using the Clutch
When you are starting to move the vehicle, it is
important to begin with the engine speed at idle.
Then start to engage the clutch and listen for an engine
speed drop of about 100 rpm. At this point, the clutch
is engaging, so you should increase the engine speed
and fully engage the clutch. It is important not to
increase the engine speed sooner or before the clutch
begins its engagement. If you do, you can cause
damage to your vehicle.
Double-Clutching
You must use the double-clutching method when you
shift an unsynchronized gear set. Disengage the clutch,
shift to NEUTRAL and engage the clutch. When
upshifting, slow the engine until the engine rpm and
road speed match. When downshifting, accelerate the
engine until the engine rpm and road speed match.
Then quickly disengage the clutch and move the shift
lever to the next gear position and engage the clutch.
2-29
Eaton®Fuller®Five and Six-Speed
Transmissions and TTC Spicer
Seven-Speed Transmissions
These transmissions have gears that automatically
synchronize when you shift up or down (except
FIRST (1) gear on the five-speed and seven-speed
transmission which is unsynchronized). Choose the
gear that will maintain the road speed you want while
keeping the engine above two-thirds of the governed
speed. When the engine speed drops below two-thirds
of the governed speed, shift into the next lower gear
before your engine begins to lug. When you shift down,
be sure to double-clutch if required.
ZF Six-Speed Transmission
Here is how to operate your transmission.
This six-speed pattern is
unique to GM manual
transmissions.
The transmission always repositions the shift lever to
NEUTRAL, which is located between FOURTH (4)
and FIFTH (5) gear.
To prevent unintentional gear selections, additional force
is required to move the shift lever into REVERSE (R) or
FIRST (1). Use FIRST (1) when trailer towing, driving
with a heavier payload or launching on a grade.
Otherwise, start in SECOND (2) gear. Only shift into
FIRST (1) when the vehicle has stopped moving.
2-30
Air Brake
If your vehicle has air
brakes, you will have
this parking brake.
It is located above
the radio in the
instrument panel.
Pulling it out applies the parking brake. The park brake
light will come on when the air parking brake is applied.Vehicles built for use as tractors or towing vehicles have
two air brake controls. They look like this:
{CAUTION:
When the yellow PARKING BRAKE and the red
TRAILER AIR SUPPLY knobs are both pushed
in, your rig will be free to move. It could strike
someone or something. When both of these
knobs are pushed in, hold the regular brake
pedal down to keep your rig from moving.
2-40
To charge a trailer’s air brake system do the following:
1. Move your vehicle into the proper position.
2. Apply the parking brake by pulling the yellow
parking brake knob out.
3. Hook up the trailer air system properly.
4. Get into the vehicle.
5. Push and hold down the regular brake pedal.
6. Push in both the yellow parking brake and the red
trailer air supply knobs. This will charge your
trailer’s air system.
After a few minutes, the trailer system should be fully
charged. When it is, the air pressure gage will show
about 125 to 135 psi (862 to 931 kPa).
For driving with a trailer, the yellow and red (if equipped)
knobs must be pushed in. When you are not pulling a
trailer, the red trailer air supply knob must be pulled out.
{CAUTION:
If you apply any one of the air brake parking
controls while the vehicle is moving, your rig
will stop suddenly. If you are not ready for this,
you or others could be injured. Do not apply any
one of these controls while you are driving,
unless you have to make an emergency stop.
If the air pressure drops below 60 to 70 psi
(413 to 482 kPa), the primary brake light and warning
buzzer will come on. If the air pressure drops to
35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa), the red trailer air supply
knob will automatically pop out and apply the spring
brakes on the trailer.
If the air pressure drops to 35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa),
the yellow park brake knob will automatically pop out
and apply the spring brakes on the truck or tractor.
2-41
Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Marker Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Dome Lamps...............................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Reading Lamps............................................3-17
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-23
Rear Heating System....................................3-24Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-25
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-26
Trip Odometer..............................................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Engine Speed Limiter....................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-27
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-27
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-27
Airbag Off Light............................................3-28
Charging System Light..................................3-30
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-30
Service Transmission Warning Light................3-31
Range Inhibit Warning Indicator......................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-34
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.....3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-35
Wait to Start Indicator (Diesel Engine).............3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-37
Low Oil Level Light.......................................3-38
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-38
Engine Overspeed Warning Light....................3-39
Engine Shutdown Warning Light.....................3-39
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
This light should come on
briefly when you start the
engine, if it does not
have your vehicle fixed
immediately.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the BRAKE or LOW
AIR warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have the anti-lock brake feature. If the BRAKE
and/or LOW AIR warning light is on, you don’t
have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with your
regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-31.
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle is connected
to a trailer with anti-lock
brakes, this light should
come on briefly, as a
check, when you turn on
the ignition.
When this light comes on and stays on, it means there
is something wrong in the trailer anti-lock brake
system. Have the system repaired immediately.
If an anti-lock brake system equipped trailer is not
connected, this light is not functional.
3-34
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Hydraulic Brake Systems.................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve......................4-8
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control....................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-10
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-16Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18
City Driving..................................................4-21
Freeway Driving...........................................4-22
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-24
Winter Driving..............................................4-26
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-30
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-30
Tow Hooks..................................................4-31
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-34
Towing..........................................................4-35
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-35
Trailer Connections.......................................4-37
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................4-38
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1