GMC SIERRA 1997 Owners 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 goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes 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 fluid.
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.
I
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 window on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid level should be above
MIN. If it isn'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 level is above
MIN and below the top of
the window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme ll@ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
' A CAUTION:
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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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.
Brake Wear
If you have a C 3500 HD model, it has four-wheel disc
brakes without wear indicators.
If you ever hear a brake
rubbing noise, have the brake linings inspected.
If your pickup is not a
C 3500 HD model, it has front
disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Disc brake pads
(except
C 3500 HD models) 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).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
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.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence
to GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they 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 brake pads replaced, have
the
rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section 7 of this manual
under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance Inspections.”
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
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.
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.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. 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 approved
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.
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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 recommend 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.
A CA“T1ON:
Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lamps
are off and the engine isn’t running. See “Replacement
Bulbs”
in the Index for the proper types of bulbs to use.
Halogen Bulbs
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See
“Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
-N:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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Headlamps
Sealed Beam Lamps
1. Remove the
four screws from the
headlamp retainer.
4. Plug in the new headlamp and put it in place.
5. Install the retainer to the headlamp and tighten
the screws.
2. Pull the headlamp out and remove the retainer.
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Composite Headlamps
1. Remove the two screws
at the top
of the
radiator support.
2. Pull the headlamp lens assembly out.
3. Unplug the electrical connector.
4. Turn the bulb
counterclockwise and remove it.
5. Put the new bulb into the lens assembly and turn it to
6. Plug in the electrical connector.
the
right until it
is tight.
7. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle. Install and tighten
the two screws.
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Front lhm Signal Lamps
(Sealed Beam Headlamps)
I 1. Remove the two screws
at the inside edge of
the parking/turn signal
lamp assembly.
2. Remove the lamp assembly by swinging it out from
the inside edge and sliding it out at the outside edge.
3. Squeeze the tab on the side of the lamp socket while
turning the socket counterclockwise.
4. Pull the socket out of the
lamp assembly.
5. Push in gently on the bulb, turn it counterclockwise
and remove it from the socket.
6. Put the new bulb into the socket, gently press in on
the bulb and turn it to the right until it is tight.
7. Put the socket back into the lamp assembly and turn
it to the right until it locks.
8. Put the parkinghum signal lamp assembly back into
the vehicle and tighten the screws.
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Front 'hrn Signal Lamps
(Composite Headlamps)
1. Remove the screws and
take out the parkingkurn
signal lamp assembly.
2. Squeeze the tab on the side of the lamp socket while
turning the socket counterclockwise.
4. Push in gently on the bulb, turn it counterclockwise
and remove it from the socket.
5. Put the new bulb into the socket, gently press in on
the bulb and turn it
to the right until it is tight.
6. Put the socket back into the lamp assembly and turn
it
to the right until it locks.
7. Put the parkinghurn signal lamp assembly back into
the vehicle and tighten the screws.
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Fender Marker Lamps
(Dual Rear Wheel Pickup Models)
1. Remove the screws and
.. take the fender marker assembly
out of
, . .. .. .. . . . the fender.
2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and
remove it from the
lens assembly.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Put a new bulb into the socket and push it in until it
is tight.
5. Put the socket back into the lens assembly and turn it
clockwise to tighten it.
6. Replace the lens and tighten the screws.
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