GMC SIERRA 1997 Manual PDF

I Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can’t properly spread the impact forces.
In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured.
A belt must be used by
only one person
at a time.
What if
a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is
so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide.
If the
child is
so small that the shoulder belt is still very
close to the child’s face
or neck, you might want to
place
the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your
vehicle has
one.
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Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part
is behind
the child.
If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the
lap portion of the belt
should be worn
low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones
in a crash.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough
to fasten, your
dealer will order
you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in
to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for
you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to
the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If
you see
anything that might keep
a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may
not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also
look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does
not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be
if worn
during a more severe crash, then
you need new belts.
If belts
are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean
you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary
even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
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& NOTES
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Section 2 Features and Controls
-
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained
are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2- 1
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-7 2-9
2- 10
2-11
2- 13
2- 14
2- 15
2- 19
2-22
2-22
2-27
2-28
2-30
Keys
Tailgate
Third Door
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System
Theft
New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Positions
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission Operation
Locking Rear Axle
Four-wheel Drive
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P) (Automatic
Transmission Models Only)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission) 2-3
1
2-3 1
2-32
2-32
2-33
2-36
2-36
2-43 2-48
2-52
2-59
2-6
1
2-62
2-64 2-66 Parking
Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission Models Only)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignalAUultifunction Lever
Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Sun Visors
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
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Keys
1
CAUTION:
I
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
2-2
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Your vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition and all door locks.
If you ever lose your keys, your dealer will be able to
assist you with obtaining new ones.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your key inside.
You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you have an
extra key.
Tailgate
You can open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle
while pulling the tailgate toward you.
TO shut the tailgate, firmly push it away from you into
the latch.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back toward
you, to be sure that it latches securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate on your vehicle can be removed to allow for
different loading situations. Although the tailgate can
be
removed without assistance, you may want someone to assist
you with the removal to avoid possible finish damage.
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4 I
I
I
I
I
To remove the tailgate:
Raise the tailgate
slightly and release both
retaining cable clips.
To
release the cable clips,
lift the cable
so it points
straight out and push the
cable clips forward.
With the tailgate at a
slight upward angle, pull
back on the tailgate at
the right edge and then move the tailgate to
the right to release
the left edge.
Third Door (If Equipped)
Reverse the above procedure to reinstall. Make sure the
tailgate is secure. Your
vehicle may be equipped with a third door that
allows easier access to the rear area of an extended cab.
To open the third door, first open the passenger's side
front door. Then, use the handle located on the front
edge of the rear door to open it. You must close and latch the third door before you can
close the front passenger door.
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Door Locks
A CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door
is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may
not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better
off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or
the Keyless Entry
System,
if your vehicle has this option.
To lock the door from the
inside, slide the lever
on
your door down.
To unlock the door, slide the lever up.
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Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Press the bottom of the
power door lock switch,
marked
LOCK, on either
front door to lock all the
doors at once. Press the
ribbed side of the switch to
unlock all the doors at once.
Zear Door Security Locks (Crew Cab)
With this feature, you can
lock the rear doors
so they
can’t be opened from the
inside by the passengers.
Move the lever up
to engage the security feature.
Move the lever down
to return the door locks to
normal operation.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
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