ESP GMC JIMMY 1997 User Guide

Engine Fan Noise If a Tire Goes Flat
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch
is not engaged. This improves
fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy
vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or high outside
temperatures, the
fan speed increases when the clutch
engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This
is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping
or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You
may also hear this fan noise when you start he
engine.
It will go away as the fan clutch disengages. It's
unusual
for a tire to "blow out" while you're driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of
a tire, it's muc11 more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a "blowout." here are a few
tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to ~naintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout. particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove yo~~r foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the c.ehicle under control
by
steering the way ~OLI want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy
and noisy. but you can still steer. Gently
brake to
a stop -- well off the road if possible.
5-22

How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to hm;e this done at your
GM dealership
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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid slwuld be at normal
operating temperature. which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93°C).
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
( 10°C). If it's colder than 50°F ( IOOC), drive the
vehicle
in DRIVE (D) until the engine temperature gage
rnoves and then remains steady for
10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
6-15

3. Check both sides of the dipstick. and read the lower
level.
The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range. push the
dipstick back
in all the way: then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
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
tluid
to bring the 1wel up to the HOT area for a hot
check.
It doesn't take much fluid. generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Ih f o\*erfi//.
NOTICE:
We recomnlend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-III, 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.
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.
6-17

Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have
a crash.
Using tires
of different sizes may also cause
damage to
your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires
on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare
(if you have one). It was developed for
use on
your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed
by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear. traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles
sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary
with respect to these
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
c Urades, they rnust also conform to Federal safety
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on
a specified government test course. For
example.
a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
( 1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and clilnate.
e oraded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
6-45

Traction -- A, B, C
The tmction grades, from highest to lowest. are A, B. and
C, and they represent the tire‘s ability to stop on wet
pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction perf’ormance.
Wxning: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (tuning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (,the highest), B, and C.
representing the tire‘s resistance to the gencration of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested undcr
controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause
the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required
by law.
Warnin?: Thc ten~perat~u-e pxde for this tire is
estnblishcd for a tire that is properly intlated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed. underinflation, or
excessive loading. either separatcly or in combination.
c;m ca~~se heat buildup
md possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
care1’uIly at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overdl performance.
lee1 Replacement
~epl~e ;my wheel that is bent. cracked, or badly rusted
01- corrocled. If wheel n~~ts keep coming loose. the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be 1-eplacec1.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels. which cm sometimes be repaired). See your
GM dcalcr if any of’ these conditions exist.
6-46

Roadside Assistance
GMC's Roadside Assistance provides stranded owners
with over-the-phone roadside repairs, location
of the
nearest
GMC dealer or the following special services:
FlLlt Tiw Chmg~?: installation of spare tire will be
covered at
no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement
of tire).
Fl.{t?I Dt~liwql: Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station
(up to $4.00) will
be covered.
Juq? Sturt: No-start situations which require a battery
jump start will be covered at no charge.
Lock Out: Replacement keys or locksmith service will
be covered at no charge
if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement key
will
be covered at no charge within 10 miles (1 6 km).
Et7.2et-go12~~ finl?ir.zg Scrvice: Towing to the nearest
GMC deaier for warranty related disablements will
be covered.