GMC C-SERIES 1999 Owners Manual

yellowblue
4-27

Tie a red cloth to your mirror arm to alert police that
you've been stopped by the snow.

Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body
insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor
mats
-- anything you can wrap around yourself or
tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle if any is blocking
your exhaust pipe. And check around again from
time to time to be sure snow doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery (or batteries) charged. You will need a
well
-charged battery (or batteries) to restart the vehicle,
and possibly for signaling later on with your headlamps.
Let the heater run for a while.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
4-28
If you have a diesel engine, you may have to run it at a
higher speed to get enough heat. Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost all the way to preserve
the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only
when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you
can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle
and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or
so until help comes.Loading Your Vehicle
The GVW/Tire Information label is found on the rear
edge of the driver's door. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle.
This is called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
4-29
The Certification/Tire label is provided by the final
manufacturer and should be on the door or door jamb. It
also tells you the maximum weights for the front and rear
axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find
out the actual loads on your front and rear axles, you
need to go to a weigh station and weigh your vehicle.
Your dealer can help you with this. Be sure to spread out
your load equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
4-30
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages or anything else
-- they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and
injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.

Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
4-31
Power Take-Off (PTO) (If Equipped)
Before using a PTO, refer to the body builder's or
operator's instructions.
To engage a PTO:
1. Make sure the vehicle is stopped.
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (N) or
PARK (P), if equipped.
3. The brake or clutch pedal must be pressed and
released once before PTO can be enabled. Do not
hold the brake or clutch pedal down.4. The cruise control switch must be in ON prior to
engaging the PTO switch to enable PTO operation.
This sets the PTO base engine idle at 1200 rpm.
5. Use SET/COAST to change the engine speed to the
lower preset value of 1400 rpm. Use
RESUME/ACCEL to change the engine speed to the
upper preset value of 1800 rpm. You may toggle
between upper and lower by moving the switch
between SET/COAST and RESUME/ACCEL.
The PTO will become inoperative when any of the
conditions are changed or the CHECK GAGES light
comes on.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
4-32
-NOTES
ProCarManuals.com

5-
yellowblue
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-3 Other Warning Devices
5
-5 Jump Starting
5
-9 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-18 Engine Overheating
5
-20 Cooling System (Gasoline Engine)5
-27 Cooling System (Diesel Engine)
5
-33 Engine Fan Noise
5
-34 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-34 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-37 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
5-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
The hazard flasher switch is located on the
steering column.
Press the button in to make your front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, pull out on the collar. When
the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals
won't work.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
5-3 Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
(If Equipped)
With some options, such as U86-trailer wiring or
RQ3
-tractor application, you will have this switch.
This switch replaces the hazard switch mounted on the
steering column. It is mounted in the instrument panel,
usually to the left of and below the steering column.
Pull the switch out to make your front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and off. A light next to the switch
will also flash. Push it back in to turn off the flashers.
The turn signal lamps won't flash if you're braking.
This switch works no matter what position the key is in,
and even if the key isn't in the ignition.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
5-4 Signal-Stat Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning Flasher (If Equipped)
If you have this system, it lets you warn others. It also
lets police know you have a problem. It makes your
front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off, but
they won't flash if you're braking.
The switch is on the end of the signal
-stat housing.
To make it work, pull out on the hazard lever until it
locks into place. It works no matter what position your
key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
To turn off the flasher, move
the turn signal lever either
up or down. Then move the
signal lever back to the
center position.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road behind your vehicle in the
recommended manner per FMCSR (Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Regulation) Section 392.22, to
warn others.
ProCarManuals.com