Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The coolant surge tank pressure cap is located in
the engine compartment, on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.
Notice:Your vehicle’s surge tank pressure cap
is designed for use with medium-duty cooling
systems only. If the surge tank pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss and possible
engine damage may occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage,
as well as a low coolant warning light, on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 173andLow Coolant
Warning Light on page 173for more information.
Your vehicle also has a check gages warning light
on the instrument panel. SeeCheck Gages
Warning Light on page 180for more information.
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 re.
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 re 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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If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light,
can indicate a serious problem. SeeLow Coolant
Warning Light on page 173for more information.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant light, but see or hear no steam, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the
engine can get a little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL while stopped. If it is safe to do so,
pull off the road, shift to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL and let the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest
fan speed and open the windows as
necessary.
3. If climbing a hill, downshift to raise engine and
fan speeds.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not come
back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can push
down the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed for at least
three minutes while you are parked. If you still have
the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.
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4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level reaches
slightly above the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan.
When the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine. In most
everyday driving conditions, the clutch is not fully
engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading,
trailer towing and/or high outside temperatures, the
fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is
normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is
merely the cooling system functioning properly.
The fan will slow down when additional cooling is
not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
disengages.
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Power Steering Fluid
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 363to
determine 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 is not warm, you
probably will not get an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is between the MIN (Minimum) and
MAX (Maximum) marks, you have enough. If you
need fluid, add only enough of the proper fluid to
bring it in between the MIN and MAX marks.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can
cause the brake or service brakes soon warning
lights to come on. In addition, the steering
effort and emergency brake distance could
increase.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, see “Hydraulic Brake System Warning
Lights” underBrake System Warning Light
on page 169for more information.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Part C: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 397.
Notice:When adding power steering uid or
making a complete uid change, always
use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses
and seals.
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Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
(Hydraulic Only)
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Four-Wheel and Six-Wheel Drum
Brakes (Air Only)
The brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for
rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes
inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return
to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
is needed.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, the brakes
adjust for wear.
Brake Adjustment on Air Braked
Vehicles
Your vehicle has automatic slack adjusters.
Every time you make a brake stop, the brakes
automatically adjust for wear. Slack adjusters
should never be manually adjusted to correct
excessive brake chamber pushrod stroke.
Excessive brake chamber pushrod stroke means
that the brake system needs to be serviced by
a qualified service technician.
Notice:Do not manually adjust automatic slack
adjusters. Manual adjustment of the automatic
slack adjusters can result in a degradation of
the slack adjuster performance over time.
If the brake chamber pushrod stroke is out of
adjustment, the brake system needs to be
serviced by a quali ed service technician.
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Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in
costly damage to your vehicle that would
not be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or
pulling it will not work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a
12-volt battery (or batteries) with a negative
ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
vehicles with 12-volt systems with negative
grounds to jump start your vehicle.
If you have a diesel engine vehicle with
two batteries (or more), you should know
before you begin that, especially in cold
weather, you may not be able to get enough
power from a single battery in another
vehicle to start your diesel engine.
If your vehicle has more than one battery, use
the one closest to the starter — this will
reduce electrical resistance.2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper
cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are
not touching each other. If they are, it could
cause a ground connection you do not
want. You would not be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling,
set the parking brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start procedure. Put
an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in NEUTRAL before
setting the parking brake. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear, not in NEUTRAL.
Notice:If you leave your radio or other
accessories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Always turn off your radio and other
accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or accessory power outlets.
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Turn off the radio and all lamps that are not
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries, and it could save the radio!
4. Open the hood on the other vehicle and
locate the positive (+) and the negative (−)
terminal locations on that vehicle.
Open the hood on your
vehicle and find the
remote positive (+)
terminal, located under
a red plastic cover
on the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
Squeeze the tab to
open the cover
and access the remote
positive (+) terminal.
You will not see the battery (or batteries) of
your vehicle under the hood. They are located
in a frame mounted battery box, which is
located on either the driver’s or the
passenger’s side of the vehicle. You will not
need to access your battery (or batteries)
for jump starting. The remote positive (+)
terminal is for that purpose.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you need
more light.
Be sure the batteries have enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
ACDelco
®battery (or batteries) installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is
there. If it is low, add water to take care of
that rst. If you do not, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on your
skin, ush the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
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To change an empty ether cylinder, follow
these steps.
1. Loosen the screw head on the
cylinder-to-bracket clamp.
2. Spread the clamp apart.
3. Clean any dirt from the neck of the cylinder
and the top of the valve before you take out
the cylinder.
4. Check the inside of the valve for any foreign
matter. Clean the valve as necessary.
5. Cover the valve to protect it from dirt and take
out the cylinder.
6. Install a new gasket whenever you take out
the cylinder. Use only one gasket and spread
a light film of clean oil on it before installation.
7. Put in the new cylinder. Turn it clockwise until
it just starts to contact the gasket.
8. Tighten the cylinder another half turn
(180 degrees). Don’t over-tighten.
9. Retighten the cylinder clamp.Front Wheel Bearings with
Oil-Filled Hubs
Notice:If you drive your vehicle through deep
water that is higher than the front or rear
axle, water may enter the axle housing and
cause the axle lubricant to break down.
This could damage the gears inside. Avoid
driving your vehicle through deep water.
You should avoid driving your vehicle through
deep puddles or standing water. If you must drive
through water that is higher than the front or
rear axle, see your dealer immediately afterward
to have the condition of the axle lubricant checked.
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