GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Manual

Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. YOLK GM dealer is ready
to advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you. LIS~ the short trip/city
. maintenxm schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
YOLI frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application. Driving under
these conditions causes engine oil to
break
down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle. then you need to change your
oil and filter
every
3.000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
Remote Oil Filter (Four-wheel Drive)
The ;1ccess door for the remote oil filter is in the steering
linkage shicld
assembly located under the radiator
support. Twist the
screw to unlock or lock the door.
Make sure
if you open the door, it is securely closed
when you are finished.
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What to Do with Used Oil Air Cleaner
6-13

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine
backfires.
If it isn't there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don't drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which
will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner
in place when you're driving.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid
and filter every 50.000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi. police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the Index.
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How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to hm;e this done at your
GM dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here,
or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid slwuld be at normal
operating temperature. which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93°C).
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
( 10°C). If it's colder than 50°F ( IOOC), drive the
vehicle
in DRIVE (D) until the engine temperature gage
rnoves and then remains steady for
10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
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Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle hus been sitting
for eight hours or
Inore with the engine off and is lwd
only as a reference. Let the engine run rlt idle for five
minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F ( 10°C) oI
more. If it’s colder than 50°F ( IOOC), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you rrlwst perfor111 a hot check
before adding fluid. This
will give you a more accurate
reading
of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applicd. place the shift le\;er
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each
gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then. position the shit’t
lever
in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
I. Flip the handle LIP and then pull out the dipstick and
wipc it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
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3. Check both sides of the dipstick. and read the lower
level.
The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range. push the
dipstick back
in all the way: then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See "Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants"
in the Index.
Add fluid
only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT. (A COLD check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
tluid
to bring the 1wel up to the HOT area for a hot
check.
It doesn't take much fluid. generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Ih f o\*erfi//.
NOTICE:
We recomnlend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused
by fluid other than DEXRON-111
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under "How to Check."
When the correct fluid level is obtained. push the
dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the handle
down
to lock the dipstick in place.
6-17

Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in YOLK manual
transmission doesn't require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little dii'licult, you
may choose to have this done at your GM dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get
false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a
fire. Be
~ sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
~ transmission fluid.
6-18

How to Add Fluid
Here's how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
"Recommended Fluids and Lubricants"
in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch system in your vehicle is
self-adjusting.
A slight amount of play ( 1/4 inch to
1/2 inch or ti lnm to 12 mm) in the pedal is normal.
It isn't a good idea to "top OW' your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won't correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule. Owner Checks and
Services. to determine how often you should check the
fluid level
in your clutch master cylinder reservoir and
for the proper fluid. See "Owner Checks and Services''
and "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants"
in
the Index.
6-19

How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it‘s in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often
to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services?’
in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ”Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants“
in the Index.
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Four-wheel Drive and
All-Wheel Drive
Most lubricant checks in this section also apply to
four-wheel-drive vehicles. However, they have two
additional systems that need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See "Periodic Maintenance
Inspections"
in the Index.
How. to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level
to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintcnance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See "Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants" in the Index.
6-21