flat tire CHEVROLET BLAZER 1997 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The 1997 Chevrolet Blazer Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts\
properly. It also explains the “SIR” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to \
operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running pr\
operly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and \
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance \
and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on ”Reporting Safety Defects” on pag\
e 8- 10.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this ,manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Off-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have
four-wheel drive.
Also, see “Anti-Lock Brakes”
in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn‘t have four-wheel drive, you
shouldn‘t drive off-road unless you‘re on a level,
solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great
fun. But it does have some
definite hazards. The greatest
of these is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means
you’ve left the great North
American road
system behind. Traffic lanes aren‘t
marked. Curves aren’t banked. There are
no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery. rough, uphill
or downhill. In
short. you’ve gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s
why it’s very important that you read this guide. You’ll
find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help
make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are sutfre things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure
to have all necessary maintenance and
service work done. Check
to make sure all underbody
shields
(if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure
you read all the information about your
four-wheel-drive vehicle
in this manual. Is there enough
fuel?
Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels
up where they should be? What are
the local laws that
apply to off-roading where you’ll be driving? If
you
don’t know, you should check with law enforcement
people
in the area. Will you be on someone’s private
land?
If so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how
to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward
as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off-road terrain doesn’t toss things around.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want
to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well
in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer,
not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than
you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh -- such as after a day's
work -- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journcv. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained,
it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts
in GM
dealerships all across North America. They'll be ready
and willing to help if
you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lurrzps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are
the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure'?
Weather For-ecvrsts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should
you delay your trip a short
time to avoid
a major storm system?
0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps'!
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about
an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make
you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen
to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a secund, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can
you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that
it can happen.
Then here are
some tips:
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Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you Sct dwpy. pull off the road into a rest, service
or
parking xe;L and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety. treat drowsiness on the highway as
an
emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
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Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving
in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning
to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable. (See “Off-Road
Driving’’ in the Index for information about driving
off-road.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Recreational Vehicle Towing (Except Four-wheel Drive
With
Manual Shift Transfer Case) Loading
Your Vehicle
Vehicles
with two-wheel drive or the optional electronic
shift transfer case require special modifications before
they can be towed in this manner. Please contact your
dealer
for the towing information that is appropriate for
your particular vehicle.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive
(AWD) can not be towed
in this manner.
The Certificationflire label is found on the driver’s door
edge, above the
door latch. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is
called the
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle. all occupants,
fuel, cargo and trailer tongue weight, if pulling a trailer.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately,
to see if the weights are
proper.
If they aren‘t, you may be able to get them right
simply
by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle‘s tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
CertificationRire label
on the driver’s door edge, above
the
door latch, or see ‘.Tire Loading” in the Index. Then
be sure
you don’t go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight
of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
If you‘ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and
sway control
of the proper size. This equipment is
very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
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Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating
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Engine Fan Noise
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
(If Equipped)
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 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
fa11 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.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to "blow out" while you're driving.
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much Inore likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have ;I "blowout." here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails. the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer
to maintain lane position. and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout. particularly on a curve. acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout. remove your foot from the
xcelerator pedal. Get the \,chicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
\.cry bunlpy and noisy. but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop -- well off the road if possible.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level
place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
A CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people.
You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to change your tire.
To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift
lever in PARK
(P) or shift a manual
transmission
to FIRST (1) or
REVERSE
(R).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle
with a manual transfer case shift lever,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. lbrn off the engine.
5. Put the wheel blocks at the front and
rear
of the tire farthest away from the
one being changed. That would be the
tire
on the other side of the vehicle, at
the opposite end.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment you'll need is stored along the
driver's rear wall.
In some cases. you may have to
remove the spare tire
in order to reach the jack. Your
vehicle is
also equipped with work gloves and a plastic
ground mat
to assist in the changing of a flat tire.
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To remove your jack cover,
pull up on the latch at the
end
of the cover, near the
endgate and the latch
on the
top
of the cover. Remove
the wheel blocks, jack and
wheel wrench.
The following instructions explain
how to remove the
spare tire, depending on where it is mounted on
your vehicle.
[ NOTICE:
Never remove or restow a tire frodto a stowage
position under the vehicle while the vehicle
is
supported by a jack. Always tighten the tire fully
against the underside
of the vehicle when
restowing.
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