Tow GMC SIERRA 1997 Repair Manual

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on
painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing
with water is all that is usually
needed. However, you may use chrome polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim,
if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid
damaging protective trim, never use auto or chrome
polish, steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum.
A
coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended
for all bright metal parts.
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
(If Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel.
A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface
of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage
the surface. You may use chrome polish on
chrome wheels, but avoid any painted surface of the
wheel, and buff off immediately after application.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface
of these wheels.
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
-
Short Trip/City Definition -- Gasoline Engines
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
off-road frequently.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
You frequently tow a trailer.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if you
operate
your vehicle under any of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine
oil to break down soonel:
Short Trip/City Intervals -- Gasoline Engines
Every
3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
or other commercial application.
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Chassis
Lubrication (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Drive
Axle Service (or
3 months, whichever occurs fmt).
Short Trip/City Intervals -- Gasoline Engines
Every 6,000 Miles (10
000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Shields and
Underhood Insulation Inspection (GVWR above
8,500 lbs. only). Front Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD
only) (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Fuel Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (vehicles over
8600 GVWR or
driven under severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines
Inspection. Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
Inspection. Evaporative Control System Inspection.
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).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on the following pages.
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Da 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 afully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine
oil to break
down slower:
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Drive Axle Service. Tire Rotation.
Underhood Insulation Inspection (GVWR above
8,500 lbs. only).
Every 15,000 Miles (25 OOO km): Shields and
I
1 Long Trip/Highway Intervals -- Gasoline Engines ~~~ ~
~ ~~
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Fuel Filter
Replacement. Front Wheel Bearing Repack
(2WD only)
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs fiist).
Transmission Service (vehicles over
8600 GVWR or
driven under severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines
Inspection. Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
Inspection. Evaporative Control System Inspection.
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).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to
follow the complete maintenance schedule
on the following pages.
7-6
ProCarManuals.com

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
** Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
0
e
0
0
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas
or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty
or off-road use.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring extreme
overloadtrailer towing conditions and high-speed (above
45 mph or 70 km/h) conditions for extended
periods of time must have the drive axle fluid changed every
30,000 miles (50 OOO km). See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in this section.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote **.)
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
ProCarManuals.com

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid
and filter if
the vehicle’s GVWR is over
8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 O F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
lf you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t
require change.
delivery
service.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED BY:)
7-18
ProCarManuals.com

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule =- Gasoline Engines
100,000 Miles (166 000 km) (Continued)
- 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.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t
require change.
valve.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
I I I I
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
7-30
ProCarManuals.com

I Long TripMighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
- 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 jluid andfilter do not
require changing.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t
require change.
1 52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
**.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
An Emissiorz Control Scrvic‘e.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL
MILEAGE
7-37
ProCarManuals.com

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
100,000 Miles (166 000 km) (Continued)
- 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.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t
require change.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation
(Pcv) valve. An Emission Control Service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
~~
SERVICED BY
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
1
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
-
ProCarManuals.com

Roadside Assistance
1
GMC’s Roadside Assistance provides stranded owners
with over-the-phone roadside repairs, location of the
nearest
GMC dealer or the following special services:
FZat Tire Change: Installation of spare tire will be
covered at no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement of tire).
Fuel Delivery: Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station (up to
$4.00) will
be covered.
Jump Start: No-start situations which require a battery
jump start will be covered at no charge.
Lock Out: Replacement keys or locksmith service will
be covered at no charge if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery of
the replacement key will
be covered at no charge within
10 miles (16 km).
Emergency Towing Service: Towing to the nearest
GMC dealer for warranty related disablements will
be covered.
ProCarManuals.com

Climate Control System ....................... 3.2. 3.3
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-7
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic
.......................... 6-26
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Comfort Guides. Rear
........................... 1-40
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-26
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3- 16. 3-20
Compass. Rearview Mirror with
................... 2-48
Console Storage
................................ 2-55
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-5 1
Coolant ....................................... 6-29
Heater. Engine
............................... 2- 14
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-15
Cooling System ................................ 5- 13
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-8
Cruise Control
................................. 2-40
Cupholders
............................... 2-54. 2-55
Customer Assistance Information ................... 8-3
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-2
Customer
Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-66
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-66
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-44
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
............ 2-77
Dead Battery ................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
........................ 8- 10
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-6
Defogging and Defrosting ......................... 3-6 Dolby@
B Noise Reduction ........................ 3-15
Door
DomeLamps
.................................. 2-46
Locks
....................................... 2-5
StoragePocket
............................... 2-52
Third
........................................ 2-4
Downshifting
.................................. 2-21
Driver Position
................................. 1-15
Driving City
........................................ 4-32
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-33
Guidelines
.................................. 4-14
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-39
IntheRain
.................................. 4-29
Night
...................................... 4-27
Off-Road
................................... 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-56
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-35
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-37
Throughwater
............................... 4-31
WetRoads
.................................. 4-29
Winter
...................................... 4-37
With a Trailer
................................ 4-54
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-7
Electrical Equipment. Adding
........... 2- 14. 3-24. 6-70
ProCarManuals.com