check transmission fluid GMC C-SERIES 1999 Owners Manual

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2-6
NOTICE: (Continued)

Use the lowest gear you can when you start
a loaded vehicle in motion and when going
up hills to avoid overloading the engine.

Check and adjust engine and transmission
fluid levels often and be sure tires are properly
inflated for the load you're carrying.

If you have a Caterpillar
 diesel engine,
see the Caterpillar Operation &
Maintenance Manual.
Ignition Positions
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be injured or even killed. They could
operate power windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in
the vehicle with children.
Use your square-head key to start your vehicle (unless it
has the single
-key option, where one oval-head key
works everything, including the ignition). You can turn
the ignition switch to five different positions.
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2-64 Service Trans Filter Indicator Light
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this
light, you'll find it
below the cluster on the
instrument panel.
It monitors the transmission fluid filter. If it ever
goes on, it means your transmission filter is dirty and
requires replacement.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
If your vehicle is equipped
with either a gasoline
engine or an electronically
controlled diesel engine,
you will have this light.
If this light comes on or flashes while you are driving,
two things may happen.
First, you won't notice any difference in engine
performance, but your tail pipe emissions may increase.
Second, your engine may not run properly or may stall
without warning. If either of these things happen, drive
or tow your vehicle to your dealer for service.
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4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.Here are some tips that can make your drive through
steep country safer:

Keep the vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your
engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
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6-
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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
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6-18
CAUTION:
Gasoline Engines Only: Operating the engine
with the air cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires. If it isn't there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don't drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
Gasoline Engines Only: If the air cleaner/filter 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/filter
in place when you're driving.
Your vehicle may also be equipped with an optional
Filterminder gage. See ªWarning Lights, Gages and
Indicatorsº in the Index.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
checked. See your Allison Automatic Transmission
Operator's Manual to find out when to change your
transmission fluid and filters.
How to Check and What to Use
The Allison Automatic Transmission Operator's Manual
that came with the vehicle shows how to check the
automatic transmission fluid and what fluid to use.
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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6-19 Automatic Transmission External Filter
Your automatic transmission spin-on type filter requires
periodic replacement. It is mounted just behind the
radiator on the outside of the passenger's side frame rail.
Consult the Allison Automatic Transmission Operator's
Manual that came with the vehicle for proper
change intervals.
Automatic Transmission External Filter
With Service Trans Filter Indicator Light
(Option)
This automatic transmission spin-on type filter is
mounted to the left of the transmission. It requires
replacement when the SERVICE TRANS FILTER
indicator light on the instrument panel comes on or
every three years, whichever occurs first.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
checked. See your Maintenance Schedule to find out
when to change your transmission fluid and filters.
How to Check and What to Use
The Eaton Fuller Transmission Operator's Manual that
came with the vehicle shows how to check the manual
tranmsmission fluid and what fluid to use.
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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6-36
Electric/Hydraulic Parking
Brake Fluid
If you have an electric/hydraulic parking brake, a good
time to check the fluid level is when you check the fluid
levels under the hood.
If you need to add fluid, use Dexron III automatic
transmission fluid (GM Part Number 12345881).
How to Check and Add Fluid
First, apply the parking brake. To check the fluid level,
look at the MAX and MIN lines on the side of the
reservoir. If the level is below the MAX line, add fluid.
To add fluid, clean away any dirt around the reservoir
cap. Remove the reservoir cap and add enough fluid to
bring it up to the MAX level.
NOTICE:
Always use proper fluid (automatic transmission
fluid), not brake fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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6-40
ITEM NO. ITEM REMARKS
15 Transmission Fill to level of filler plug.
16 Transmission
-Auto*
Check fluid level.
17 Propshaft Slip Joint One fitting each joint; lubricate with GM Part
No. 1051344 Wheel Bearing Lubricant.
18 Propshaft U
-Joints One fitting each joint (1480 and 1550 Series); lubricate
with GM Part No. 1051344 Wheel Bearing Lubricant. Two
fittings each joint (1610 Series and larger); lubricate with
GM Part No. 1051344 Wheel Bearing Lubricant.
19 Rear Wheel Bearing Hand
-pack or lubricate.
20 Rear Axle Fill to level of filler plug.
21 Parking Brake Clevis Pin$ Apply chassis lubricant.
22 Master Cylinder $ Fill to 1/4, (6 mm) below opening.
23 Parking Brake Lever Pivot*$ Apply chassis lubricant.
* Applies to some vehicles.
 Applies to air brakes only.

Refer to Allison Transmission Operator's Manual.
$ Applies to hydraulic brakes only.
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6-75
Extending the recommended oil change interval requires
the use of an infrared oil analysis program which shows
the condition of the oil and its additives. For more
information, consult your GM Truck dealer, who is an
authorized Caterpillar

engine dealer.
Transmission Capacity
Capacities (volumes) shown are approximate. For
manual transmissions, the correct oil level is to the
bottom of the fluid fill plug opening. The oil capacity
will vary, due to the angle of the transmission, with the
vehicle. For automatic transmissions, see the Allison
Automatic Transmission Operator's Manual for oil
check and maintenance information.
Manual Transmission Pints (Liters)
RT6609 12.0 (5.7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RT6610 12.0 (5.8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RTO6610 12.0 (5.8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RT6613 16.0 (7.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RT7608LL 19.5 (9.3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RT8609 15.0 (7.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FS4205A, FS4205B, FS4205C 12.5 (5.9). . . . . . . . . .
5205A, FS5205C 12.5 (5.9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FS5306 18.0 (8.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FS6305A, FS6305B 19.0 (9.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FS6306 19.5 (9.2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FS7206 20.0 (9.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T8607B 36.0 (17.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transmission Pints (Liters)
AT542 (for oil pan filter change) 30.0 (14.0)*. . . . . . .
AT545 (for oil pan filter change) 40.0 (19.0)*. . . . . . .
MT643 (for oil pan filter change) 13.0 (24.5)*. . . . . .
MT653 (for oil pan filter change) 36.0 (17.0)*. . . . . .
*Add two pints (one liter) when changing spin
-on filter.
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7-4
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don't know
exactly how you'll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries or in
many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your GM dealer.
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you'll know
that GM
-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in Part C.
Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these. All
parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs done
before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:

carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle's
Certification/Tire label. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº
in the Index.

are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.

use the recommended fuel. See ªFuelº in the Index.
Scheduled Maintenance Supplements
If your vehicle has a Caterpillar diesel engine, your
GM Owner's Manual is supplemented by the Caterpillar
Diesel Engine Operation & Maintenance Manual. If your
vehicle has an Allison transmission, your GM Owner's
Manual is supplemented by an Allison Transmission
Operator's Manual. Always refer to these manuals for
related maintenance services.
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