air conditioning CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1996 Owners Manual

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Section
In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control systems
and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the
particular system supplied with your vehicle.
Comfort Controls
Heater Controls
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your heater controls will look
like this.
The knob
on the left side of the heating system control panel controls the
fan speed. The knob has four speed positions. To increase the air flow, move
the knob toward
HI. To decrease the air flow, move it toward LO. To turn
the fan off, move the knob
to OFF,
3-1
ProCarManuals.com

The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the relative
temperature
of the air flowing into the passenger area of your vehicle. This
knob will allow
you to adjust the relative air temperature independently of
the function knob setting. Move the knob right toward the red area for
warmer air. Move the knob left toward the blue area for cooler air.
The right
knob on the control panel changes the heater setting.
VENT
- This setting, with the arrow pointing at the figure’s head, directs
air through the instrument panel vents.
VENT/HEAT
- Use this setting, with the arrows pointing at the figure’s
feet and head, to divide airflow between the heater
floor vents and
instrument panel vents.
HEAT -This setting, with the arrow pointing at the figure’s
feet, directs air
through
the heater floor vents. This setting is useful for cold weather.
HEAT/DEFROST
- Use this setting, with the arrow pointing at the figure’s
feet
and the defroster symbol near the figure’s head, to divide airflow
between the heater floor vents and windshield.
DEFROST -This setting with the defrost symbol directs air through the
windshield defroster vents.
This setting is useful when you have fog or ice
on the windshield.
The control knob
can be placed in any position between two heater settings
to blend the flow of air. The closer the knob is to a setting symbol, the more
the air flow will represent
that symbol’s air flow arrows.
Heater/Air Conditioning Controls
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heatedair conditioning controls
will look like this.
3-2
ProCarManuals.com

Before using your vehicle’s air conditioning, open the windows to clear the
vehicle of
hot air.
Using the recirculation function can also help. See “Recirculation Button”
in this section for more information.
The knob on the left side of the heating system control panel controls the
fan speed. The knob has four speed positions. To increase the air flow, move
the knob toward HI.
To decrease the air flow, move it toward LO. To turn
the fan off, move the knob to
OFF. If you have the air conditioner on,
moving the fan knob to OFF also turns off the A/C compressor.
The middle knob
on the control panel lets you select the relative
temperature
of the air flowing into the passenger area of your vehicle. This
knob will allow
you to adjust the relative air temperature independently of
the function knob setting. Move the knob right toward the red area for
warmer air. Move the knob left toward the blue area for cooler air.
With
A/C on, move the knob to MAX for maximum cooling. This setting
puts the system in the recirculation mode and helps to maximize your air
conditioner’s performance and your vehicle’s fuel economy. This setting
also cools the air
the fastest. After the vehicle’s interior reaches a
comfortable temperature, move
the knob clockwise to place the air
conditioning system
in the normal mode.
The right knob on the control panel changes the heatedair conditioning
setting.
VENT
- This setting, with the arrow pointing at the figure’s head, directs
air through the instrument panel vents.
VENT/HEAT
- Use this setting, with the arrows pointing at the figure’s
feet and head, to divide airflow between the heater floor vents and
instrument panel vents.
HEAT
- This setting, with the arrow pointing at the figure’s feet, directs air
through the heater floor vents. This setting
is useful for cold weather.
HEAT/DEFROST
- Use this setting, with the arrow pointing at the figure’s
feet and the defroster symbol near
the figure’s head, to divide airflow
between the heater floor
vents and windshield.
DEFROST
- This setting with the defrost symbol directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. This setting is useful when
you have fog or ice
on the windshield.
The control knob can be placed in any position between two heatedair
conditioning settings to blend the flow of air. The closer the knob
is to a
setting symbol, the more
the air flow will represent that symbol’s air flow
arrows.
RECIRCULATION BUTTON
- This button, between the left and middle
knobs, allows the air inside your vehicle to be recirculated. This setting
helps to maximize your air conditioner’s performance and your vehicle’s
3-3
ProCarManuals.com

fuel economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest and can be used to
keep “unwanted odors” and/or dust from entering the vehicle. When using
the air conditioner, turn off recirculation after the vehicle reaches
a
comfortable interior temperature.
When the right knob
on the control panel is between HEAT and DEFROST,
the recirculation feature will not function.
NC - This button, between the middle and right knobs, allows the air
coming into your vehicle
to be cooled and directed through the instrument
panel vents. This setting
is useful for normal cooling on hot days. When you
first
use A/C with the recirculation button pushed in, turn off recirculation
as soon as the vehicle reaches a comfortable interior temperature.
Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, it is equipped with an engine coolant
heater. An engine coolant heater is optional
on gas engine vehicles. If you
use the engine coolant heater before starting your engine (in cold weather
(20” F, (-8” C), or lower) your heating system will produce warmer air
faster, to heat
the passenger compartment in cold weather.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces
the time it takes for the
engine to reach normal operating temperature, and shortens the time it takes
the heater
to reach full output. For more information, See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Diesel Engine Heater Output
If you idle your diesel engine for a long time when it’s cold outside, your
heater may blow out cool air. This is normal. When you increase the engine
speed, your heater should blow
out warmer air. If it doesn’t, your coolant
level may be too low. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index to see how to
check your coolant level.
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating Systems (Suburban)
If your vehicle has either or both of these systems, you can increase and
decrease the air flow at the rear vents. Depending
on the system you have
and the setting selected, you can send cooled or heated air to the rear of the
vehicle.
Rear Air Conditioning (Without Rear Heater)
If your vehicle has rear air conditioning (without rear heater), the controls
are located above the front and second seats. The front and rear overhead
controls let
you increase and decrease the air flow at the rear vents.
3-4
ProCarManuals.com

To operate the rear air conditioning system, the front air conditioning
system must be on. With the front air conditioning system
off, the rear
system controls can be used to circulate air in the rear of the vehicle.
0 To operate the rear
system using the front
control, just turn the
knob to the blower
position you want.
Rear Heater (Without Rear Air Conditioning)
If you have a rear
heater (without rear
air conditioning), the
control switch is
located
on the
instrument panel.
3-5
ProCarManuals.com

To increase and decrease the flow of heated air to the rear floor vents, move
the switch marked REAR HEAT to the blower speed you want.
The knob has three speed positions.
To increase the flow of heated air, move
the switch toward HIGH.
To decrease the flow of heated air, move it toward
LOW. To turn the fan off, move the switch to OFF.
Rear Air Conditioning and Rear Heater
If your vehicle has a rear air conditioning and rear heater system
combination, controls are provided
to regulate the temperature, location and
speed of the air flow.
To adjust the air
temperature, turn the
temperature knob
on
the right side of the
control panel.
For warmer air, turn the knob clockwise toward the red side, and for cooler
air, turn the knob counterclockwise toward the blue side.
To regulate the air flow location, adjust the center knob on the control panel
Turn the knob counterclockwise for floor vent air flow or clockwise for
headliner vent air flow. Generally, the upper vents are used for air
conditioning and the floor vents for heating. The control knob can be set
to
any blend setting.
To adjust the air flow speed, turn the fan control knob on the left side of the
control panel
to the desired blower setting.
To activate
the rear control, move the fan knob on the front control to
REAR
CNTL.
3-6
ProCarManuals.com

You can turn the defogger off at any time by pressing the button again. The
defogger will shut itself off after several minutes,
so that the glass does not
get too hot. If the defogger shuts off, and the window still isn’t clear, turn on
the defogger again.
Ventilation System
Your vehicle’s
ventilation system
supplies outside air
to
the inside of your
vehicle when it is
moving. With the side
windows closed, air
will flow into the front
air inlet grilles,
through the vehicle,
and
out the rear air
exhaust valve.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or the air
conditioning fan is running, unless
you have the recirculation button pushed
in. For more information see “Recirculation Button” in this section.
Ventilation Tips
0
0
0
0
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow, or any other
obstruction (such as leaves). The heater and defroster will work far
better, reducing the chance
of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the blower fan to
HI for
a few moments before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of
snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the inside
of
your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear
of objects. This helps air to
circulate throughout your vehicle.
Some models also have vents under the front seats. Keep the area at the
outlet grills clear
of floor mats or other objects. This will ensure proper
air
flow to the rear floor area.
3-8
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle inside
the vehicle.
Then go to the front
of
the vehicle and pull up
on the secondary hood
release, located just
to
the passenger side of
the center
of the grill.
Lift the hood.
Your vehicle, if it has
air conditioning, may
have
a auxiliary
engine fan in addition
to the belt driven fan.
6-13
ProCarManuals.com

Air Conditioning
Every now and then have your dealership check your air conditioning
system to be sure
it has not lost any cooling ability. If you think the system
is not working properly, have your dealership check it out as soon as
possible.
The air conditioning will not work when the temperature is below
40°F
(4°C).
Fluid Leak Check
After the vehicle has been parked for a while, inspect the surface under the
vehicle for water, oil, fuel or other fluids. Water dripping from the air
conditioning system after
it has been used is normal. If you notice fuel leaks
or fumes, the causes should be found and corrected at once.
Lock Cylinders
To be sure your locks operate properly, they must be lubricated. Your
vehicle’s maintenance schedule will tell
you how often to lubricate them.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index for the proper
lubricant to use.
You should not use penetrating oils because they could wash out the factory
installed lubricant and cause the lock
to bind. De-icers which contain
alcohol could also wash away
the lubricant, so be sure to lubricate the lock
after using
a de-icer of this type.
Battery
Every new GM vehicle has a Delco Freedom’ battery. You never have to
add water
to one of these. When it’s time for a new battery, we recommend
a Delco Freedom@ battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, take off the
black, negative
(-) cable from the battery. This will help keep your battery
from running down.
6-45
ProCarManuals.com

Service Replacement Part and Filter Recommendations
- Diesel Engines
Engine
VIN
Oil Filter
Air Cleaner
Fuel Filter
Surge Tank
Cap
6SL
S
PF1218
A1236C
TP 1006
RC33
6.5L
F
PF1218
A 1236C
TP 1 006
RC33
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning
system
in your vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is
used.
If you’re not sure, ask your GM dealer. For additional information, see
your “Warranty and Owner Assistance Information’’ booklet.
NOTICE:
R-134A refrigerant is not compatible with R-12 refrigerant in
an air conditioning system. R-12 in an R-134A system will cause
compressor failure, refrigerant oil sludge, or poor air
conditioning system performance.
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
TYPE
Refrigerant R-134A
Refrigerant
R- 134A
QTY
Front A/C 3.0 lbs. (1.360 kg)
Front and Rear A/C 4.25 Ibs. (1.927
kg)
6-79
ProCarManuals.com