power steering GMC C-SERIES 1999 Owners Manual

yellowblue
2-31 Power Windows (If Equipped)
If you have power windows, the controls are on each
door. The driver's door has a switch for the passenger's
window as well. Your power windows will not move
unless the ignition switch is turned to RUN.
Push the switch marked with an up arrow to raise the
window. Push the switch marked with a down arrow to
lower the window.
Horn
Sound the horn by pushing the center of the steering
wheel. If you have the optional air horn, it is controlled
by a cord that you'll find up above and to the left of the
driver. The harder you pull on the cord, the louder the
air horn will sound. The air horn works only after your
air system pressure gets up to about 60 psi (415 kPa).
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter or exit the vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
2-56 Charging System Indicator Light
CAUTION:
If your vehicle has an electric/hydraulic parking
brake, do not drive if the charging system light is
on. If the battery drains too much, the parking
brake can suddenly come on and stop the vehicle.
This can cause severe injury to you and others.
The charging system light is
located in the center of the
instrument cluster just
above the odometer.
It should come on briefly when you turn on the ignition,
before the engine is running, as a check to show that it
is working.If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, have it
checked right away. You could have a loose generator
drive belt or some other problem.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery. If
you must drive a short distance with the light on, turn
off your radio and other accessories.
Sustained driving with a generator failure could result in
a lack of back
-up braking if the engine quits or the
power steering pump should fail.
Voltmeter
When your engine is
running, the voltmeter gage,
at the lower left of the
instrument cluster, shows
the charging system voltage.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
ProCarManuals.com

4-
yellowblue
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Steering
4
-12 Off-Road Recovery
4
-12 Passing
4
-14 Loss of Control
4
-15 Driving at Night4
-16 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-19 City Driving
4
-20 Freeway Driving
4
-21 Highway Hypnosis
4
-22 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-24 Winter Driving
4
-28 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-31 Power Take-Off (PTO) (If Equipped)
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
4-7
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That
means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Hydraulic Brake Systems
If your engine stops running, or if your primary brake
system stops working, your vehicle has a reserve power
assist system to help you slow down. Just slowly and
steadily apply the brake pedal until you can safely get
off the road. The pedal will seem harder to push down.
Don't pump the pedal; the system won't work well or at
all that way.You may find that the steering wheel seems hard to turn
when you're turning and braking at the same time. Also,
the PRIMARY BRAKE warning light may come on and
the warning tone may sound. This is normal because the
main hydraulic brake system and power steering both
use the power steering pump. If this ever happens, let up
on the brake pedal a little. When you let up on the brake
pedal in that situation, it lets the steering get a little
more help from the pump.
Anti-Lock Brakes (Option)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is
an advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light on
the instrument panel will
come on briefly when you
start your vehicle.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti
-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
4-9
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti
-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel the
brakes pulsate, or you may hear air exhausting, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti
-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you don't have anti
-lock, your
first reaction
-- to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it
down
-- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can
stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can't respond to
your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever
direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling.That could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you don't have anti
-lock, use a ªsqueezeº braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing on
the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This
will help you retain steering control. (If you do have
anti
-lock, it's different: see ªAnti-Lock Brakesº in
the Index.)
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
On vehicles with hydraulic brakes, the power steering
and main hydraulic brake system both use the power
steering pump. See ªHydraulic Brake Systemsº in
the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
5-14
After Towing
Block the rear wheels and install axle and propeller
shafts. Check for proper phasing of universal joints.
Apply the emergency brake system before disconnecting
from the towing vehicle. Check and fill the rear axle
with oil as required.
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
(All Wheels On the Ground)
Your vehicle may be towed on all wheels provided the
steering is working. Remember that the power brakes
and power steering will not have power assist. Vehicles
with air brakes will not have brakes. There must be a
tow bar installed between the towing vehicle and the
disabled vehicle.
Before Towing
Block the wheels of the disabled vehicle. On vehicles
with air brakes, release the emergency brake system by
compressing the brake chamber springs as outlined in
this section. (Note: This is to prevent the possibility of
the emergency brake being applied during towing.)On vehicles with hydraulic brakes, release the
parking brake fully by moving the lever to the
fully
-released position.
On vehicles equipped with an electric/hydraulic parking
brake, remove the propshaft.
Disconnect the propshaft at the rear axle (forward axle
on tandem axle models). Secure the propshaft to the
frame or crossmember.
If there is damage or suspected damage to the axle(s),
remove the axle shafts. Cover the hub openings to
prevent the loss of lubricant or entry of dirt or
foreign objects.
After Towing
Block the rear wheels and install axle and propshafts.
Check for proper phasing of universal joints. Apply
the parking brake system before disconnecting from
the towing vehicle. Check and fill rear axle with oil
as required.
ProCarManuals.com

6-
yellowblue
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-4 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
6
-6 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-7 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Noise Control System
6
-13 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
6
-17 Engine Oil (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-19 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-20 Rear Axle
6
-20 Rear Axle Shift Motor (Option)
6
-21 Radiator Pressure Cap (Gasoline Engines)
6
-22 Surge Tank Pressure Cap (Diesel Engines)
6
-22 Thermostat6
-23 Engine Coolant (Gasoline Engine)
6
-27 Engine Coolant (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)
6
-28 Power Steering Fluid
6
-29 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-30 Brakes
6
-36 Electric/Hydraulic Parking Brake Fluid
6
-42 Battery
6
-44 Other Service Items
6
-48 Tires
6
-59 Appearance Care
6
-59 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-63 Cleaning the Outside Your Vehicle
6
-66 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-67 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-67 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-68 Electrical System
6
-74 Capacities and Specifications
6
-77 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-28
Power Steering Fluid
See your Maintenance Schedule for when to check your
power steering fluid.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the engine is
warm. If the engine isn't warm, you probably won't get
an accurate reading.
Vehicles with diesel engines
have a sight glass. If you
can see fluid in the glass,
you have enough.Other models have a cap with a dipstick. If you have
one, unscrew the cap and check the dipstick. It should be
between ADD and FULL (if the engine is warm).
If you need to add some, put in only enough of the
correct fluid to bring the level up to the FULL mark (if
you have the dipstick) or so you can see fluid in the
glass, if you have a sight glass.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-29 What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can
cause the PRIMARY BRAKE or AUX BRAKE
warning lights to come on. If either light remains
on after you have added power steering fluid to
the proper level, then shut off the engine for
10 seconds. This should reset the brake warning
lights. If one or both lights stay on, though,
then see ªHydraulic Brake Warning Lightsº in
the Index.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-69 Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes.
This protects the circuit until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
maxi
-fuses and fusible links. This greatly reduces the
chance of a fire caused by an electrical problem. There
may be a fuse taped to the wiring harness inside the
battery box and one near the generator also taped to the
wiring harness.
There are two circuit breaker/fuse blocks in your
vehicle: the instrument panel circuit breaker block and
the maxi
-fuse block.
Instrument Panel Circuit Breaker Block
This fuse block is in the lower portion of the instrument
panel, to the left of the steering column.
To open the door, pull up
and outward on the recessed
door handle and the door
will snap out.
To install the door, place the lower door into the bottom
retainer and push the top of the door in until it snaps
into place.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare circuit breaker, you can borrow one of the correct
value. Just pick some feature of your vehicle that you
can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its circuit breaker if it is of the value
you need. Remember to replace the circuit breaker as
soon as you can.
These circuit breakers are non
-cycling; do not replace
them with cycling circuit breakers. Also, don't use
circuit breakers of higher amperage than those indicated
on the circuit breaker block.
ProCarManuals.com