towing GMC SAFARI 2003 Owner's Guide

How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the engine air cleaner/filter remove thefilter
from the vehicle and lightly shakefilter to release
loose dust and dirt. If thefilter remains caked with dirt, a
newfilter is required.
To inspect or replace thefilter, do the following:
1. Unsnap both clips on the cover.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Change thefilter.
4. Snap both clips to secure the engine air
cleaner/filter cover.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stopame if the engine backres. If it isn’t there
and the engine backres, you could be burned.
Don’t drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner/lter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging enginere. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when
you’re driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmissionfluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both thefluid andfilter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 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, change thefluid andfilter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
SeePart A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
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2003 - Safari OM

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning 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.
•Tow a trailer. See″Driving on Grades”inTowing a
Trailer on page 4-31.
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 (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t 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’s 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’re parked. If you still have the warning,turn off the
engine and get everyone out of the vehicleuntil it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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Engine Fan Noise
This 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.
Power Steering Fluid
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Long Trip/Highway Definition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down
slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
first). Chassis Lubrication (or 12 months, whichever
occursfirst). Drive Axle Fluid Check. Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection. Automatic Transmission Service
(severe conditions only).Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Fuel Filter
Replacement. Engine Air Cleaner Filter Replacement.
Front Wheel Bearing Repack (two–wheel drive only) (or
at each brake relining, whichever occursfirst).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions). Transfer
Case Fluid Change.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
first). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
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2003 - Safari OM

12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andfilter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andfilter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).(See footnote #.)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter. If necessary, replace
thefilter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspectfilter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and
repack the front wheel bearings (or at each
brake relining, whichever occursfirst).
❑Change automatic transmissionfluid andfilter 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, change the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
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2003 - Safari OM

30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and
repack the front wheel bearings (or at each
brake relining, whichever occursrst).
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Replace engine air cleanerlter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more information.
An Emission Control Service.❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter 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, change thefluid andfilter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
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2003 - Safari OM

45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and
repack the front wheel bearings (or at each
brake relining, whichever occursrst).
❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter 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.❑Inspect engine air cleanerlter. If necessary, replace
thelter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspectlter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change thefluid andfilter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
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2003 - Safari OM

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and
repack the front wheel bearings (or at each
brake relining, whichever occursrst).
❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter 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, change thefluid andfilter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Replace engine air cleanerlter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
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2003 - Safari OM

❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter 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, change thefluid andfilter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
❑Inspect engine air cleanerlter. If necessary, replace
thelter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspectlter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.78,000 Miles (130 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
81,000 Miles (135 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
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2003 - Safari OM

84,000 Miles (140 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
87,000 Miles (145 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.❑For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and
repack the front wheel bearings (or at each
brake relining, whichever occursrst).
❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter 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, change thefluid andfilter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Replace engine air cleanerlter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
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2003 - Safari OM