brakes GMC SAVANA 1996 Owner's Manual

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
lining wear. When new linings are put in, thc tluid levcl
2 wes down to an acceptable level during nonnal brake
c qoes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won't work well, or
won't work at all.
So, it isn't a good idea to "top off' your brake tluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then
you'll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
A CAUTION
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You
or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See "Periodic Maintenance
Inspections"
in the Index.
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Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just
look at the windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The
fluid levels should be above MIN. If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked
to see if there is a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the levels are above
MIN and below the top
of each window.
What to I
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work
at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Brake Wear
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed.
The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time
your vehicle is moving (except when
you
are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
L
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE: I
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result
in costly brake repair.
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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
your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel
nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel
nuts in the proper sequence to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also,
the rear 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.
:a1 ~ 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 of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts in them, as your vehicle does when
it is new. When
you replace parts
of your braking system -- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have to
have
new ones put in -- be sure you get new genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For example, if someone
puts
in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes can
change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change
in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery,
we recolnmend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take off the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery.
This will help keep your battery from
running down.
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Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the key
to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is
in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK
(P) Mechanism Check
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot
on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transmission
in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove
foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this
until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift
to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You
or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
~ brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
~
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Rear Axle Service
Check t.he gear lubricant level in the rear axle and add if
needed. See ”Rear Axle” in the Index. A fluid loss may
indicate
a problem. Check the axle and repair it if needed.
Drive Axle Service
Check readfront axle fluid level and add as needed.
Check constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment.
You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result
in frequent braking.
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Section 9 Index
Adjustable Mast Antenna ........................ 3-29
AirBag ....................................... 1-21
Adding Equipment ............................ 1-28
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-26
How it Works ................................. 1-24
Location
.................................... 1-24
Readiness Light
......................... 1.23. 2.47
Servicing
................................... 1-27
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-25
What Will You See After
it Inflates ............... 1-26
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-25
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-15
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-7
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-68
Air Control. Climate Control System
................. 3-3
Alignment and Balance
. Tire ...................... 6-48
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-57
Antenna. Adjustable
Mast ........................ 3-29
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-29
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-49. 4-6
Brakes ...................................... 4-5
Appearancecare
............................... 6-50
Appearance Case Materials ....................... 6-59
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Ashtsays
...................................... 2-42
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-9
Transmission
Transmission Check
........................... 7-44
Transmission Fluid
............................ 6-16
Transmission Operation
........................ 2-17
Shiftin
...................................... 2-17
Transmission Park Mechanism Check
............. 7-46
Axle, Locking Rear
............................. 2-20
Axle, Rear .................................... 6-19
Battery
...................................... 6-30
Jump Starting ................................. 5-2
Replacement
. Remote Keyless Entry ............... 2-6
Warnings
................................ 5-2.5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
Bethre Leaving on a Long Trip .................... 4-20
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
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Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Fluid
....................................... 6-27
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-27
Parking
..................................... 2-20
PedalTravel
................................. 6-29
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-30
System Warning Light
......................... 2-48
T~ailer
...................................... 4-3_3
Tmwnission Shift Interlock Check
............... 7-45
Wear
....................................... 6-28
Brakes
. Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 13
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-36
BTSICheck
.................................... 7-45
Bulb Replacemenr
.............................. 6-3 1
Canadian Roadside Assistance .................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-65
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2-25.4-25.4-34
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-44
Cassette Tape Player
....................... 3- 1 1 ? 3- 13
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-28
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
................... 2-56
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-33
Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-33
Certification Label .............................. 4-26
Certification/Tire Label
.......................... 4-26
Chains: Safety ................................. 4-33 Chains
. Tire ................................... 6-50
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-20
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-48
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-58
Child Restraints
................................ 1-37
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-39
Securing
in the Center Front Seat Position ......... 1-41
Securing
in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-41
Securing
in the Center Seat Position .............. 1-41
Securing in the Passenger Seat Position ........... 1-42
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-42
TOP Strap
................................... 1-38
Where to Put
........................... 1-37. 1-38
Circuit Breakers and Fuses ....................... 6-62
Cleaner.Air
................................... 6-15
Cleaning Alumtnum Wheels
............................ 6-57
Fabric
...................................... 6-51
Glass ....................................... 6-54
Inside
of' Your GM ............................ 6-51
Instrument Panel ............................. 6-54
Leather
..................................... 6-53
Outside
of Your GM ........................... 6-55
Special Problems
............................. 6-52
Stains
...................................... 6-52
Tim ....................................... 6-57
Vinyl ....................................... 6-53
Wheels
..................................... 6-57
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-55
Climate Conlrol. Standard ......................... 3-1
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 2-42
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Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-3
Heating ........................................ 3-7
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-30
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-2 1
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-21
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-32
Hood
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 17
Horn
......................................... 2-28
Ignition Switch
................................ 2- I3
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-42
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-39
Brakesystem
................................ 7-48
Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-47
Radiator and Heater
Hose ...................... 7-47
RearAxle
................................... 7-48
Steering
.................................... 7-47
Suspension
.................................. 7-47
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-47
Brightness Control
............................ 2-36
Cleaning
.................................... 6-51
Cluster ..................................... 2-44
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-62
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-38
Inspections
.................................... 7-47
.................................... J ack.Tire
5-22
Jump Starting ................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-44
Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-5
Keys .......................................... 2-1
Labels
Certification ................................. 4-26
CeriificatiodTire
............................. 4-26
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-60
Tire-Loading
. Information ...................... 4-26
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-60
Lamps ........................................ 2-35
Dome ...................................... 2-37
Interior
..................................... 2-37
On Reminder
................................ 2-36 .
On Warning ................................. 2-36
Panel
....................................... 2-35
Underhood
.................................. 2-38
Leaving
Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-23
Lighter
....................................... 2-42
Lights
............................................
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-23.2-47
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.49, 4.6
Brake System Warning ......................... 2-48
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator
............... 2-49
Interior
..................................... 2-37
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.8. 2.46
Service Engine
Soon .......................... 2-50
Loading Your Vehicle ........................... 4-26
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