engine CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1994 User Guide

To use the engine coolant heater, first turn off the engine. Then open the
hood, unwrap the electrical cord and plug it in. It uses normal house voltage
(1 10 volts), but:
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the \
cord in
the manner it was, to help keep it away from moving engine
parts.
If you don’t, it could be torn and damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends
on the weather, the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Follow this chart.
Engine Coolant Heater Usage
Viscosity/
Oil Grade
SAE
1 OW-30
SAE
15W-40
32°F to 0°F 0°F to -10°F Below -10°F
(o0C to -18°C) (-18°C to-23°C) Below
-23°C
Not
Required
Not
Required Two
Hours*
Two
Hours* Eight Hours*
or Overnight
Eight Hours* or Overnight
*The times listed are minimum times.
It will not harm either the coolant
heater or the vehicle to leave the coolant heater plugged
in longer than the
times stated.
For best results
in cold weather, use Number 1-D diesel fuel or a
“winterized” Number
2-D fuel.
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If Your Diesel Engine Won’t Start
If you’ve run out of fuel, look at “Running Out of Fuel” (see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the Index).
If you’re not out of fuel, and your engine won’t start, do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. Make sure that the “GLOW PLUGS” light
is out. Then turn the ignition key to
START.
If the light doesn’t go off, wait a few seconds, then try starting your engine
again. And, see your dealer as soon as you can for a starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes off and you know your batteries are
charged, but your engine still won’t start, your vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come
on when the engine is cold, your vehicle needs
service.
If your batteries don’t have enough charge to start your engine, see
“Battery” in the Index.
Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that you’ve changed the
oil at the proper times. If you use the wrong oil, your engine may be harder
to start.
If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
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In very cold weather, 0°F (- 1 8 “C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can
help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine
warn-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt outlet.
I
I
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the \
cord as
it was before
to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you
don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends on the weather, the kind of oil
you have, and some other things.
Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact a GM
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
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Automatic Transmission
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
0 P (Park)
This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start
your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
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R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to “R” (Reverse) while your vehicle is moving forward
could damage your transmission. Shift to
“R” only after your
vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand
without damaging your transmission, see “If You’re Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow’’
in the Index.
N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart
when you’re already moving, use
“N’ (Neutral) only. Also, use “N’
(Neutral) when your vehicle is being towed.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of “P”
(Park) or “N” (Neutral) with the engine racing isn’t covered by
your warranty.
0 @ (Automatic Overdrive)
This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for
passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
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Five-Speed Manual Transmission
This is your shift
pattern. Here’s how
to
operate your
transmission:
..
1 (First Gear) - Press the clutch pedal and shift into “I .” Then,
slowly let up
on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into
“1” when you’re going less than 20 mph (32 kdh).
If you’ve come to
a complete stop and it’s hard to shift into “1 ,” put the
shift lever
in Neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal
back down. Then shift
into “1 .”
0 2 (Second Gear) - Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the
accelerator pedal and
shift into “2.” Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
3,4 and 5 (Third, Fourth and Fifth Gears) - Shift into “3,” “4” and
“5” the same way you do for “2.” Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
0 To Stop - Let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal.
and shift to Neutral.
0 R (Reverse) - To back up, first press down the clutch pedal. Wait 3-5
seconds for the internal parts to stop spinning and then, shift into “R.”
Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to “R” (Reverse) only after your vehicle is stopped.
Shifting to
“R” (Reverse) while your vehicle is moving could
damage your transmission.
Also, use Reverse, along with the parking brake, when turning off your
engine and parking your vehicle.
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Shift Light
If you have a manual
transmission, you may
have a
SHIFT light.
This light will show
you when to shift to
the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next higher gear if weather,
road and traffic conditions let you. For the best fuel economy, accelerate
slowly and shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on and off if you
quickly change the position of the accelerator. Ignore the
SHIFT light when
you downshift.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Only: If your vehicle has four-wheel drive
and is equipped with a manual transmission, disregard the shift light when
the transfer case is in
4-LOW.
Manual Transmissions- Shift Speeds
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 lun/h), or if the engine is not running
smoothly, you should downshift to the next lower gear. You may have to
downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
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I NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you downshift, or if you
race the engine when you downshift, you can damage the engine,\

clutch
or transmission.
Locking Rear Axle
If you have this feature, your rear axle can give you additional traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the
time, but when one
of the rear wheels has no traction and the other does, the
locking feature will allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your
right foot. Push down
the parking brake
pedal with
your left
foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
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5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can walk away from your
vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in “P”
(Park).
If
you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your
vehicle
is in “P’ (Park) and your parking brake is firmly set before you
leave it. If
you have four-wheel drive with a manual transfer case shift
lever, be sure that
the transfer case is in a drive gear - not in “N” (Neutral).
After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the “P” (Park) position, hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away
from “P” (Park) without first pulling it toward you. If
you can, it means that
the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into
“I?” (Park).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transmission into “P”
(Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put
too much force on the
parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever
out of “P” (Park). This is called “torque lock.’’ To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into
“P’ (Park) properly before you
leave the driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into ‘P’ (Park)” in the
Index.
When
you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of “P” (Park)
BEFORE you release the parking brake.
If “torque lock”
does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some
of the pressure from the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of “F”’ (Park).
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Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual transmission in “R”
(Reverse), turn off the engine, and firmly apply the parking brake .
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure your transfer case is in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll
if it isn’t.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your pulling a trailer, see “Parking on
Hills” or “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
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