ECU CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1995 Owner's Manual

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 some 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.
0 The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your
0 Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain
rear axle. Put
heavier items as far forward as you can.
doesn’t toss things around.
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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
0 Have your vehicle in good shape for winter. Be sure your engine
coolant
mix is correct.
0 You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush
or broom, a supply of windshield
washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight,
a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And,
if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old
carpet or a couple
of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items
in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have
good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can
have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and
will need to be very careful.
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Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out
for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself
with the feel
of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle
you are driving is now a good
deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle
is by itself.
Before
you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments),
safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the
trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working.
This
lets you check your electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lamps and any trailer brakes are
still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help
you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer
to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to
the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide
you.
Making Turns
I NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the traile\
r
to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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Spare Tire - ZDoor Utility Model and Suburban
I
c
I
First open the tire cover, if you have one. Turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and take it, and the adapter,
off the bolt. Take the tire out
of the vehicle and remove the tire cover.
Spare Tire - &Door Utility Model
Your vehicle’s spare tire is stowed under the vehicle in an underbody carrier.
The removal
of the spare tire is covered later in this part.
Jack and Jacking Tool Storage - 2-Door Utility Model
If your 2-door utility model has a jack cover, turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and take the cover off.
To take the jack out, turn the wing nut counterclockwise and take it and the
retainer
off. Take the jack and storage box out and take the tools out of the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair
of emergency gloves secured to the jack. You
can use them when changing the tire,
or during other emergency situations.
Remember
to replace them with the jack, so you will have them handy if
needed later.
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Jack and Jacking Tool Storage - &Door Utility Model
To open the jack cover on 4-dOOr utility models, push the cover latches
down and remove the cover.
To take the jack out, turn the wing-head bolt counterclockwise and take it and the
retainer
off. Take the jack and storage box out and take the tools out of the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair of emergency gloves secured to the jack. You
can use them when changing the tire, or during other emergency situations.
Remember
to replace them with the jack, so you will have them handy if
needed later.
Jack and Jacking Tool Storage - Suburban
If your Suburban has a jack cover, lift the tab up to release the cover, then
take it
off.
To
take the jack out, turn the wing nut counterclockwise and take it and the
retainer
off. Take the jack and storage box out and take the tools out of the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair
of emergency gloves secured to the jack. You
can use them when changing the tire, or during other emergency situations.
Remember to replace them with the jack,
so you will have them handy if
needed later.
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Jacking Tool Storage - All Models
-2
5
U
'4
1. Socket
2. Jack Handle
3. Ratchet
Jack Storage - 2-Door Utility Model
4. Jacking Tool Storage Box
5. Jack Handle Extension
1. Retainer
2. Nut
3. Jack - Secure in Vehicle as
Shown
4. Jack Storage Box
5. Bracket
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Jack Storage - &Door Utility Model
-3
4
1. Retainer
2. Nut
3. Jack - Secure in Vehicle as
Shown
4. Jack Storage Box
5. Bracket
Jack Storage - Suburban
-2
3-
-4
1. Retainer
2. Nut
3. Jack - Secure in Vehicle as
Shown
4. Jack Storage Box
5. Bracket
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Stowing the Tire - &Door Utility Model
For a under-body spare tire carrier, stow the flat tire under the rear of the
vehicle in
the spare tire carrier. To stow the flat tire:
1. Put the tire
on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the valve stem
2. Pull the wheel retainer through the wheel opening.
pointed
down.
3. Attach the ratchet to the wheel wrench with the UP marking facing you.
4. Put the other end of the wheel wrench through the rear bumper access
hole, located at the passenger side edge of the license plate. Be sure the
wheel wrench connects into the hoist shaft.
5. Turn the ratchet clockwise to raise the tire. Keep turning the ratchet
until the tire
is all the way up. You will hear two “clicks” when the tire
is secure. Pull on the tire to make sure
it is tightly secured.
Stowing the Jack and Jacking Tools
Put the tools into the storage box and close it tightly. Fit the storage box on the
bracket with the bolt through the
box. Put the jack onto the box. Be sure the jack
points in
the right direction as shown in the illustrations earlier in this part. Secure the
emergency gloves, if your vehicle has them, to the jack using the provided strap.
Slide the retainer over the bolt onto the jack and put the wing
nut on. Turn
the nut clockwise until it is tight against the retainer.
Replace the jack storage cover, if your vehicle has one, by simply reversing
the removal procedure described earlier.
Stowing the Tire - 2-Door Utility Model and Suburban
Stow the flat tire in the cargo area of the vehicle secured in the tire carrier.
To stow the flat tire:
1. Put the cover back on the tire
if your vehicle has one.
2. Put the flat tire in the cargo area of the vehicle, over the retainer bolt.
3. Slide the adapter onto the bolt in the proper location for your model
4. Turn the wing nut clockwise until the adapter is tight and secure against
and
put
the wing nut on.
the wheel.
5. Close the tire cover, if you have one.
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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. Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake parts in
them, as your vehicle does when it is new. 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 genuine 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.
Front Shock Absorbers
The front shock absorbers of your vehicle do many things. They help the
vehicle ride smoothly and also control the travel of the suspension system.
When the shock absorbers are serviced, any replacement shock absorbers
must be the same
as the original equipment shock absorbers in both
extended length and strength.
I NOTICE:
If you use shock absorbers that are not the same as the original
shock absorbers, the shock absorbers or suspension system
could be damaged.
Windshield Wiper Blade Inserts
To replace your
windshield wiper
blade inserts, lift the
wiper arm and rotate
the blade until
it is
facing away from
the
windshield.
Unlatch the end of the insert from the holding clips. Remove the insert
and
slide a new one in place. Make sure the blade is secured in the clips.
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Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has LT265/75R16 size tires, don't use tire chains;
they can damage your vehicle.
If you have
a tire size other than LT26975R16, use tire chains
only where legal and only when you must. Use chains that are
the proper size for your tires. Install them on the tires
of the rear
axle.
Don't
use chains on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting your vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
. ..
. ..
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame if
you strike a match or get them on a hot part of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When
you use anything from a container to clean your vehicle, be sure to
follow the manufxturer's warnings and instructions. And always open your
doors or windows when you're cleaning
the inside.
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