maintenance CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1996 Owners Manual

Table of Contents
Introduction - How to Use this Manual
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety
and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.
Section 1 - Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts
properly. It also explains the air bag system.
Section 2 - Features & Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Section 3 - Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort
controls and how to operate your audio system.
Section 4 - Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and
how to drive under different conditions.
Section 5 - Problems on the Road
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while
driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating, etc.
Section 6 - Service & Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running
properly and looking good.
Section 7 - Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Section 8 - Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact GM for assistance and how to
get service publications. It also gives you information on
“Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-4.
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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Introduction
1995 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban Owner’s
Manual
Welcome
This manual was prepared to acquaint you with the operation and
maintenance of your
1995 Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban and to provide
important safety information. There is also a Chevrolet Truck Warranty and
Owner Assistance Information booklet.
In some vehicles, there can be
information manuals from other manufacturers like body builders or special
equipment companies. We urge you to review all these publications
carefully. This will help you enjoy safe and trouble-free operation of your
vehicle.
When it comes to service, Keep in mind that your Chevrolet dealer knows
your vehicle best and
is interested in your complete satisfaction. Your dealer
invites you to return for all of your service needs both during and after the
warranty period.
Remember, if you have a concern and need help handling it to your
satisfaction, see the procedure in the Chevrolet Truck Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information booklet.
Thanks for choosing a Chevrolet product. We value you as a member of the
Chevrolet family. We want to assure
you of our continuing interest in your
pleasure and satisfaction with your vehicle.
Chevrolet Motor Division
General Motors Corporation
30007 Van Dyke Ave.
Warren, Michigan
@Copyright
1994 General Motors Corporation, Chevrolet Motor Division.
All Rights Reserved
Second Edition Printed
in U.S.A.
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The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it inflates, you’ll
need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the
air bag system won’t be there to help protect
you in another crash. A
new system will include the air bag module and possibly other parts.
The service manual for your vehicle covers the need
to replace other
parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module, which records
information about the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors are activated and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag system. Improper
service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See
your dealer for service.
I NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag, it may not work
properly.
You may have to replace the air bag module. Do not
open or break the air bag cover.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
The air bag affects how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of
the air bag system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the
system to inflate while someone is working
on your vehicle. Your GM
dealer and the 1995 GM Service Manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the air bag system. To purchase
a service manual, see
“Service Publications”
in the Index. The air bag system does not need
regular maintenance.
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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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After Off-Road Driving
Remove any biush or debris that has collected on the underbody, chassis or
under the hood. These accumulations
can be a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand, have the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances
can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the body
structure, steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for
damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to off-road use. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired
- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems,
or by fatigue.
Here are some tips
on night driving.
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Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and
keep more
space between you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light
up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road
in a safe place and rest.
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are especially
important
in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system, an\
d brake
adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see
that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Lighting Systems Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
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You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the
date
of any servi-work you perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the
Index.
NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about it, your vehicle could be damaged.
Maintenance Schedule
Section 7 of this manual, “Scheduled Maintenance Services”, explains the
maintenance your
new vehicle needs, and when it should be done. It also
has a form that
you can use to record the maintenance work done on your
vehicle. Be sure
to read this information.
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel
System”
in this Section. For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications ASTM D48 14
in the United States and CGSB 3.5-92 in
Canada. These fuels should have the proper additives, so you should not
have to add anything to the fuel.
In
the United States and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the right kind
of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see UNLEADED right on the pump. And
only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
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Air Cleaner
To avoid the possibility of un-filtered air being drawn into the engine, make
sure the air cleaner cover
is on straight and the wing nuts are properly
tightened.
If there is an arrow on the air cleaner cover, it should point to the
front
of the engine.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to replace the air
fi 1 ter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine
fire. And, dirt can easily get into
your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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To remove the air cleaner filter on a gasoline engine or a 6.5 liter naturally
aspirated diesel engine, turn the wing nuts
to the left. Remove the cover and
change
the filter.
To remove the air cleaner filter on a 6.5 liter turbocharged diesel engine,
first remove the rubber elbow. Remember to observe the caution about
turbocharger blades
on the rubber elbow.
Then, unhook the cover retaining clips
and push the rear
of
the cover toward the
engine.
Automatic Transmission Nuid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your
fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done
at your GM dealer Service Department.
If you do
it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be \
sure
to get an accurate reading
if you check your transmission fluid.
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission
fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid HOT.
(A COLD check
is used
only as a reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the
proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a
hot check. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a
int. Don 7 overfill. We recommend
you
use only fluid labeled DEXRON -111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid
other than DEXRON@-111
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to
Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way; then flip
the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the fluid
in your manual transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your
GM dealer Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission is cool enough for you to rest your fingers
on the transmission case.
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