GMC C-SERIES 1999 Owners Manual

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We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order
to give your inquiry prompt attention. Please have the
following information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:

Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate
at the top left of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)

Dealership name and location

Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
When contacting GMC, please remember that your
concern will likely be resolved at a dealer's facility. That
is why we suggest you follow Step One first if you have
a concern.Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech
-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs),
GMC has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate with
GMC by dialing: 1
-800-GMC-8583 (1-800-462-8583).
(TTY users in Canada can dial 1
-800-263-3830.)
Customer Assistance Offices
GMC encourages customers to call the toll-free number
for assistance. If a U.S. customer wishes to write to GMC,
the letter should be addressed to GMC's Customer
Assistance Center.
United States
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 436008
Pontiac, MI 48343-6008
1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782)
1-800-462-8583 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-GMC-8782
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8-4 Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
1-800-263-3777 (English)
1-800-263-7854 (French)
1-800-263-3830 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800
All Overseas Locations
GMODC - Customer Communication Centre
169-007
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Telephone: 905-644-4112
Fax: 905-644-4866
Caribbean Numbers
1-800-496-9992 (English) Puerto Rico
1-800-496-9993 (Spanish) Puerto Rico
1-800-751-4135 (English) Dominican Republic
1-800-751-4136 (Spanish) Dominican Republic
1-800-496-9994 U.S. Virgin Islands
1-800-389-0009 Bahamas
1-800-534-0122 Bermuda, Barbados, Antigua & B.V.I.
If toll free service is not available in the Caribbean,
call Puerto Rico 1-787-763-1315.
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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.
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8-6
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to
notifying General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll
-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in the
Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
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8-7
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO GENERAL MOTORS
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify
us. Please call us at 1
-800-GMC-8782
(1
-800-462-8782), or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 436008
Pontiac, MI 48343
-6008
In Canada, please call us at 1
-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1
-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Ordering Service and Owner
Publications in Canada
Service manuals, owner's manuals and other service
literature are available for purchase for all current and
past model General Motors vehicles.
The toll-free telephone number for ordering information
in Canada is 1-800-668-5539.
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8-8
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1999 GMC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1999 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.OWNER'S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner's manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner's Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $15.00
Without Portfolio: Owner's Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $10.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM ± 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA±MasterCard±Discover)
1999 GMC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
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8-9
PUBLICATION FORM
NUMBEROrders will be mailed within 10 days of receipt. Please allow adequate time for postal
service. If further information is needed, write to the address shown below or call
1-800-551-4123. Material cannot be returned for credit without packing slip with return
information within 30 days of delivery. On returns, a re-stocking fee may be applied
against the original order. ORDER TOLL FREE
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holders Only)1-800-551-4123(Monday-Friday 8:00 AM ± 6:00 PM EST)
FAX Orders Only 1-313-865-5927
Service Manual
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name, and also the
name of the person to whose attention the shipment should be sent.
Mail completed order form to:
HELM, INCORPORATED
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the above address for quotation.
1999$90.00
1999
$50.00
1999
$15.00
1999
$10.00
TOTAL MATERIAL
Michigan Purchasers
U.S. Order Processing$5.00
Canadian Postage
GRAND TOTAL
add 6% sales tax
(See Note Below)
GM-GMC-ORD99 *(Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.)Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents
are to make checks payable in U.S. funds. To cover Canadian postage, add $11.50 plus the
U.S. order processing.
(CUSTOMER'S NAME) (ATTENTION)
(STREET ADDRESSÐNO P.O. BOX NUMBERS)
(CITY) (ZIP CODE)
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NO.(STATE)
AREA CODE
( )P
Check or Money
Order payable to
Helm, Inc. (USA funds
only Ð
do not send cash.)
VISA
Discover
Account
Number:
Expiration
Date mo/yr:
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE
S
ITEM DESCRIPTIONNAME YEAR VEHICLE MODEL
QTY.PRICE
EACH*TOTAL
PRICE1
9
9
9
G
M
H
I
P

T
OA
Y
M
E
N
T
Owner's Manual Without Portfolio Owner's Manual In Portfolio Car & Light Truck
Transmission Unit Repair
MasterCard
Check here if your billing address
is different from your shipping
address shown.
PUBLICATION FORM
NUMBER
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8-10
-NOTES
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9-yellowblue
9-1
Section 9 Index
A
ir
Brake System Warning Light 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner Filter 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compressor Filter 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conditioning 3-5, 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conditioning Refrigerants 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dryer 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter Restriction Indicator 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Brake Systems 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Dryer 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alcohol Injector 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moisture Ejector 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alcohol Injector 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance, Tire 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AM-FM Stereo 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AM-FM Stereo with Remote Cassette Tape Player 3-10 . . . . .
Antenna 3-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antifreeze 6-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock
Brakes 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning Light 2-61, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care Materials 6-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apply Park Brake Warning Light 2
-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtray 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Systems 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transmission Fluid 6-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transmission Shift Indicator Check 7-25 . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary Power Jacks 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Axle, Rear 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Airshift Control 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Differential Lock Control 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Capacity 6-76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Motor 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tw o-Speed Electric Shift Control 2-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 5-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery, Jump Starting 5-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake
Adjustment 6
-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Brake Systems 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Parking Brake 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric/Hydraulic Parking Brake 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric/Hydraulic Parking Brake Fluid 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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9-2
Brake (Continued)
Four-Wheel and Six-Wheel Drum 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-Wheel Disc 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydraulic Systems 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propshaft Brake Burnish Procedure 2-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Releasing Air-Operated Parking Brakes 5-15 . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Check 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Warning Lights 2-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake, Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-29, 2-30 , 4-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player Care 3-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire Label 4-28, 6-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System Light 2-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chassis Lubrication 6-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Gages Light 2-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Child Restraints 1
-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Center Seat Position 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breaker Block, Instrument Panel 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner, Air 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Fabric 6
-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belts 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Problems 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch Pedal Free Travel 6-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Component Box 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connections, Trailer 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater, Engine 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Tank 5-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surge Tank 5-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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