GMC ENVOY 1998 Manual PDF
Manufacturer: GMC, Model Year: 1998, Model line: ENVOY, Model: GMC ENVOY 1998Pages: 386, PDF Size: 20.33 MB
Page 71 of 386

Liftgate Release 
To release the liftgate or liftglass,  you may use the 
Keyless Entry  System described earlier.  The liftglass can 
be opened  if 
the driver’s door is unlocked. 
To open the liftglass  only, 
press the button and pull  up 
on the handle. 
Remote Liftglass Release 
1 
This button on the 
passenger’s  side 
of the 
steering  column  allows you 
to release the liftglass from 
inside  the vehicle. 
Your  shift lever must be  in 
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) 
for the release to work. 
Theft 
To open the entire liftgate,  lift the handle  located  in the 
center  of the door.  Vehicle 
theft is big business, especially  in some  cities. 
Although your vehicle has a number  of theft-deterrent 
features, 
we know that nothing  we put on it can  make it 
impossible  to  steal. However, there  are ways  you 
can  help. 
2-10 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 72 of 386

Key in the  Ignition 
If you leave  your  vehicle  with the keys  inside,  it’s an 
easy  target  for joy  riders  or professional  thieves 
-- so 
don’t  do it. 
When  you park  your vehicle  and  open the driver’s  door, 
you’ll hear  a  chime  reminding 
you to  remove your key 
from  the  ignition  and take 
it with  you. Always  do this. 
Your  steering  wheel will  be  locked,  and 
so will your 
ignition  and  transmission.  And  remember  to  lock 
the  doors. 
Parking  at Night 
Park in a  lighted  spot,  close  all windows  and  lock your 
vehicle.  Remember  to  keep  your  valuables out 
of sight. 
Put  them 
in a  storage  area, or take  them  with you. 
Parking  Lots 
If you  park  in  a  lot where  someone  will be watching 
your  vehicle,  it’s best  to lock it  up and take your keys. 
But  what 
if you have  to leave  your ignition  key?  What  if 
you have to leave  something  valuable  in your  vehicle? 
Put  your  valuables  in  a  storage  area,  like  your 
glove  box. 
Lock all the doors  except the driver’s. 
Content  Theft-Deterrent 
Your vehicle  is equipped 
with 
a Content 
Theft-Deterrent 
SECURITY alarm  system. 
With this  system, the SECURITY  light will flash as 
you 
open the door (if your ignition  is off). 
This  light  reminds  you to activate  the theft-deterrent 
system.  Here’s how 
to do it: 
1. Open  the door. 
2. Lock the door  with the power  door  lock  switch or the 
remote  keyless  entry  transmitter. The  SECURITY 
light  should  come 
on and stay  on. 
3. Close all doors.  The  SECURITY  light should go off 
after  approximately 
30 seconds.  The alarm  is not 
armed  until the  SECURITY  light goes off. 
If a door  is opened  without  the  key  or the  remote  keyless 
entry  transmitter,  the  alarm  will  go 
off. Your  vehicle’s 
high-beam  headlamps  will  flash 
and the horn will  sound 
for 
30 seconds,  then  will  turn off to save  the  battery  power. 
2-11 
I 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 73 of 386

Remember, the theft-deterrent  system won‘t activate if 
you lock  the doors with a key or use  the  manual  door 
lock.  It activates only  if 
you use a power door lock 
switch with the door  open, or with the remote keyless 
entry transmitter.  You should 
also remember that  you 
can start your vehicle  with  the correct ignition  key 
if’ the 
alarm  has  been  set 
off. 
Here’s how to avoid setting  off  the alarm by accident: 
If  you don’t want to activate  the theft-deterrent 
system,  the vehicle should  be locked 
with the  door 
key 
after the  doors are  closed. 
Always unlock a  door with a key, or use the remote 
keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking 
a door  any other 
way  will  set off  the  alarm. 
If you set off the alarm  by accident,  unlock any door 
with  the  key.  You can 
also turn  off  the  alarm by pressing 
UNLOCK on  the  remote keyless entry transmitter. 
The alarm won’t  stop if  you  try to unlock  a door  any 
other  way. 
Testing the Alarm 
The alarm can  be tested  by following these  steps: 
I. From inside the vehicle,  lower  the driver‘s window 
and open  the driver’s door. 
3. 
4. 
Activate  the system by locking the doors with  the 
power  door 
lock switch while  the door is open, or 
with the remote keyless entry transmitter. 
Get out 
of the  vehicle, close the door and  wait for the 
SECURITY  light  to 
go out. 
Then  reach 
in through the  window,  unlock  the door 
with the manual door lock and open  the  door. This 
should set 
off the  alarm. 
If the  alarm  does not sound  when it should but the 
vehicle’s high-beam  headlamps flash, check 
to see if the 
horn works. The  horn fuse may  be blown. 
To replace  the 
f~~se,  see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” 
in the Index. 
If the alarm  does not sound or the  vehicle’s high-beam 
headlamps  do not  flash,  the vehicle should  be serviced 
by 
an authorized service center. 
Passlock’ 
Your  vehicle is equipped with  the Passlock 
theft-deterrent  system. 
Passlock  is 
a passive theft-deterrent  system.  The system 
is armed once  the  key  is removed from the ignition. 
Passlock enables fuel 
if the ignition  lock cylinder is 
turned with a valid  key. If a correct  key is not used, fuel 
is  disabled. 
2-12 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 74 of 386

During  normal operation, the SECURITY  light will go 
off  after the  engine is started. 
If the  engine  stalls  and the SECURITY light  flashes, 
wait  about 
10 minutes until the light  stops  flashing 
before trying  to restart  the engine.  Remember  to release 
the  key  from the 
START position as soon as  the 
engine  starts. 
If the  engine  does  not start  after  three (3) tries,  the 
vehicle needs  service. 
If you are driving  and the SECURITY  light comes on, 
you will be able to restart  the engine if you  turn  the 
engine 
off. However,  your Passlock system  is  not 
working  properly  and 
must be  serviced  by your dealer. 
Your  vehicle  is  not protected  by Passlock at this  time. 
You may also want to check the  fuse (see ”FLIS~S  and 
Circuit  Breakers” 
in the  Index).  See  your dealer 
for  service. 
If the  SECURITY  light comes  on while  the engine  is 
running. 
a problem  has  been  detected  and  the system 
may need  service.  See  your dealer  for service. 
In an emergency,  call the GMC  Roadside  Assistance 
Center 
at 1 -800-GMC-8782 (in Canada,  call 
1-800-268-6800). 
New Vehicle “Break-In” 
NOTICE: 
~~~  ~ ~ 
Your  vehicle  doesn’t  need an  elaborate 
“break-in.”  But  it  will perform  better  in  the  long 
run  if you  follow  these  guidelines: 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Keep  your  speed  at 55 mph (88 kmh)  or 
less  for  the  first 
500 miles (805 km). 
Don’t  drive  at  any  one  speed 
-- fast  or 
slow -- for  the  first 500 miles (805 km). 
Don’t  make  full-throttle  starts. 
Avoid  making  hard  stops  for  the  first 
200 
miles (322 km)  or so. During  this  time  your 
new  brake  linings  aren’t  yet broken  in. 
Hard  stops  with  new  linings  can mean 
premature  wear  and  earlier  replacement. 
Follow  this  breaking-in  guideline  every 
time  you  get  new  brake linings. 
Don’t  tow  a  trailer  during  break-in. 
See  “Towing  a  Trailer”  in  the  Index  for 
more  information. 
2-13 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 75 of 386

Ignition  Positions 
Use the key  to turn the ignition switch to 
five  different positions. 
C 
ACCESSORY  (A): This  position  lets you  use things 
like the radio  and 
the windshield wipers  when the 
engine  is 
off. Push in the key and turn it toward you. 
Your  steering wheel will remain  locked, just as it  was 
before  you inserted the  key. 
I NOTICE: 
Don’t  operate  accessories in  the  ACCESSORY 
position  for long  periods 
of time.  Prolonged 
operation 
of accessories  in the  ACCESSORY 
position  could  drain  your  battery  and  prevent 
you  from  starting  your  vehicle. 
LOCK 
(B): This  position  locks  your  ignition, steering 
wheel and transmission. 
It’s a  theft-deterrent  feature. 
You will only be  able  to  remove  your key when the 
ignition is turned to LOCK. 
OFF (C): This  position lets you turn off the  engine  but 
still turn the steering wheel. Use 
OFF if  you  must have 
your  vehicle  in motion while the  engine  is off (for 
example,  if your vehicle is being towed). 
RUN  (D): This  is the position  for driving. 
START (E): This  position  starts your engine. 
2-14 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 76 of 386

NOTICE: 
If your key seems  stuck  in LOCK and you can’t 
turn 
it, be  sure  you are using  the  correct  key; if 
so, is it all  the way in? If it is,  then  turn  the 
steering  wheel  left  and right  while  you  turn the 
key  hard.  But  turn  the key  only  with your  hand. 
Using  a tool  to force  it could  break  the  key or the 
ignition  switch. 
If none of this works,  then  your 
vehicle  needs service. 
Retained Accessory Power 
Your vehicle  is equipped  with  a  Retained Accessory 
Power  (RAP)  feature  which will allow certain  features 
on  your  vehicle to  continue  to  work up to 
20 minutes 
after  the ignition key 
is turned to OFF. 
Your  radio,  power  windows,  sunroof and overhead 
console  will work when the ignition key is in RUN  or 
ACCESSORY.  Once  the key is turned  from  RUN  to 
OFF, these  features  will continue  to  work for  up to 
20 minutes  or until  a  door  is opened. 
Starting Your Engine 
Move  your shift  lever  to PARK (P) or  NEUTRAL (N). 
Your  engine  won’t start in any other  position -- that’s  a 
safety  feature. 
To restart when you’re already  moving, 
use  NEUTRAL  (N) only. 
I 1 
I NOTICE: 
Don’t  try to shift  to PARK (P) if your  vehicle  is 
moving. 
If you  do, you  could damage  the 
transmission. Shift  to 
PARK (P) only  when your 
vehicle 
is stopped. 
1. Without  pushing the accelerator  pedal,  turn your 
ignition key  to START.  When the  engine  starts, let 
go of the key.  The idle speed  will go down as your 
engine  gets  warm. 
2-15 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 77 of 386

I NOTICE: 
Holding your key in START for longer  than 
15 seconds  at a time  will cause your  battery to be 
drained  much  sooner.  And  the excessive  heat  can 
damage  your starter  motor. 
2. If it doesn’t start  right away, hold  your  key in 
START. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the 
accelerator pedal 
all the  way  down  for five more 
seconds, unless 
it starts  sooner. 
3. If your engine still won’t start  (or starts but  then 
stops),  wait 
15 seconds and start over. 
When 
the engine  starts, let go of the  key  and  the 
accelerator pedal. 
NOTICE: 
Your  engine  is  designed  to work  with  the 
electronics  in  your vehicle. 
If you add  electrical 
parts  or  accessories,  you  could  change the way 
the  engine  operates.  Before adding  electrical 
equipment,  check  with your dealer.  If  you  don’t, 
your  engine  might  not  perform properly. 
If  you  ever have  to have  your  vehicle  towed,  see 
the  part  of this  manual  that tells how  to do  it 
without damaging  your vehicle.  See  “Towing 
Your  Vehicle”  in  the Index. 
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) 
In very  cold weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or colder, the engine 
coolant heater can help.  You‘ll get easier  starting and 
better fuel economy  during  engine warm-up.  Usually, 
the  coolant heater should be plugged 
in a minimum of 
four  hours prior to starting your vehicle. 
2-16 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 78 of 386

To Use the  Engine  Coolant  Heater 
1. Turn  off the  engine. 
2. Open  the  hood  and  unwrap  the  electrical  cord.  The 
cord  is  located  on  the  driver’s  side  of the  engine 
compartment,  behind  the  underhood  fuse  block. 
3. Plug  it into a normal,  grounded  110-volt AC outlet. 
% CAUTION: 
Plugging  the  cord  into  an  ungrounded  outlet 
could  cause an electrical  shock.  Also,  the wrong 
kind 
of extension  cord could  overheat  and  cause 
a  fire.  You could  be seriously  injured. Plug the 
cord  into 
a properly  grounded  three-prong 
110-volt 
AC outlet. If the  cord  won’t reach,  use a 
heavy-duty  three-prong  extension cord  rated  for 
at  least 
15 amps. 
4. Before  starting  the  engine,  be sure  to  unplug  and 
store  the  cord  as  it  was  before  to  keep  it  away  from 
moving  engine  parts.  If you  don’t,  it could 
be  damaged. 
How long  should  you keep  the  coolant  heater  plugged 
in?  The  answer  depends  on  the  outside  temperature,  the 
kind 
of oil  you  have,  and  some  other  things.  Instead  of 
trying  to  list  everything  here,  we ask  that  you contact 
your  dealer  in  the  area  where  you’ll  be parking  your 
vehicle.  The  dealer  can  give  you the  best  advice  for  that 
particular  area. 
2-17 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 79 of 386

Automi ic Transmission Operation 
There  are several different positions  for your shift lever. 
PARK (P): This  locks your  rear wheels.  It’s the best 
position to  use when  you start  your  engine  because your 
vehicle can’t move easily. 
It is dangerous  to get  out  of your  vehicle  if the 
shift  lever is not  fully in 
PARK (P) with the 
parking  brake  firmly set. Your  vehicle  can roll. 
Don’t  leave your vehicle  when  the engine is 
running  unless 
you have to. If you have left  the 
engine running,  the vehicle  can move  suddenly. 
You  or others  could  be  injured. 
To be sure  your 
vehicle  won’t  move,  even  when  you’re  on fairly 
level  ground, always set your  parking brake  and 
move  the shift lever  to 
PARK (P). 
See “Shifting  Into PARK (P)” in  the Index.  If 
you’re  pulling 
a trailer,  see  “Towing a Trailer”  in 
the  Index. 
Ensure  the shift lever is fully  in PARK (P) before 
starting the  engine. Your vehicle has 
a 
Brake-Transmission  Shift Interlock (BTSI).  You have to 
fully apply your regular brakes before  you can shift 
from  PARK  (P) when the ignition key is 
in RUN. If you 
cannot shift out of  PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift 
lever 
-- push the shift lever all the  way into PARK  (P) 
(press 
the button in on the  console  shift lever) as you 
maintain brake application.  Then move the shift lever 
into the gear 
you wish.  See “Shifting Out  of PARK (P)” 
in the Index. 
REVERSE  (R): Use this gear to back  up. 
NOTICE: 
Shifting  to REVERSE  (R) while your vehicle 
is  moving  forward could damage  your 
transmission. Shift  to 
REVERSE  (R) only 
after  your vehicle  is stopped. 
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out  of snow, 
ice  or sand without damaging  your transmission,  see 
“Stuck:  In Sand,  Mud,  Ice or Snow” 
in the  Index. 
2-18 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 80 of 386

NEUTRAL (N): In this position,  your  engine  doesn’t 
connect  with the wheels. 
To restart  when  you’re already 
moving,  use 
NEUTRAL (N) only. 
Shifting out  of  PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while 
your  engine 
is “racing”  (running at  high speed) is 
dangerous.  Unless  your  foot is firmly  on the 
brake  pedal,  your  vehicle  could  move  very  rapidly. 
You could lose  control  and  hit people  or 
objects.  Don’t  shift out 
of PARK  (P) or 
NEUTRAL  (N)  while  your  engine is racing. 
ml 
I NOTICE: 
Damage  to  your  transmission  caused  by  shifting 
out 
of PARK (P) or  NEUTRAL  (N) with  the 
engine  racing  isn’t  covered  by  your  warranty.  DRIVE 
(D): 
This position  is  for normal  driving. If you 
need  more  power  for passing,  and you’re: 
0 Going  less  than about 35 mph (55 krdh), push your 
accelerator  pedal about  halfway  down. 
Going about 35 mph (55 krdh) or more, push the 
accelerator all the  way down. 
You’ll  shift down 
to the next gear and have  more power. 
DRIVE 
(D) should  not be used  when towing  a trailer, 
carrying  a  heavy  load,  driving on steep  hills, or  for 
off-road  driving.  Select  THIRD 
(3) when operating  the 
vehicle under any  of these  conditions. 
THIRD (3): This  position  is also used  for normal 
driving,  however  it offers more power and  lower  fuel 
economy  than DRIVE  (D). 
You should use  THIRD (3) 
when towing  a trailer,  carrying  a  heavy  load,  driving on 
steep hills or winding roads  or  for off-road  driving. 
SECOND (2): This position  gives you more power but 
lower  fuel economy  than 
THIRD (3). You can use 
SECOND 
(2) on hills.  It can  help  control  your speed as 
you 
go down  steep mountain  roads, but then you would 
also want  to use your  brakes 
off and on. 
You  can also  use SECOND 
(2) for  starting  your vehicle 
from  a  stop 
on slippery road  surfaces. 
2-19 
ProCarManuals.com