trailer GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Guide

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a Hill
I, Apply your reg~~lar brakes and lwld the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear: and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service nlore often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on
this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transmission fluid (don't
overfill), engine
oil. ~~xle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and
brakc adjustment. Each of these is covered in this
manurd.
and the Index will help you find then] quickly.
If you're trailering. it's a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-54

Trailer Wiring Harness
0 White (Heavy Gage): Ground wire.
4-55

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you zet the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam. the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get
a little too hot when you:
0 Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. See "Driving on Grades" in the Index.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute
or so:
2. T~11-11 on yo~~r heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam. shift to NEUTRAL (N):
otherwise, shift to the highest gear \vhile
driving -- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE ((33) or
DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning. you
can drive. Just
to be safe. drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn't come back on.
you can drive norrnally.
If the warning continues. pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam. push the accelerator until
the engine speed is about twice as fast as normal idle
speed. Bring the engine speed back
to normal idle speed
after two or three minutes. Now see
if the warning stops.
But then, if you still have the warning, rum ogtlw
eugine
c~l got el?er;\.olw out oftlw \vl~iclc. until it
cools down.
You
may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right
away.
5-13

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

Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. YOLK GM dealer is ready
to advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you. LIS~ the short trip/city
. maintenxm schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
YOLI frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application. Driving under
these conditions causes engine oil to
break
down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle. then you need to change your
oil and filter
every
3.000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
Remote Oil Filter (Four-wheel Drive)
The ;1ccess door for the remote oil filter is in the steering
linkage shicld
assembly located under the radiator
support. Twist the
screw to unlock or lock the door.
Make sure
if you open the door, it is securely closed
when you are finished.
6-12

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Operating the engine with the air cleaner 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
off.
I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner 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
in place when you're driving.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid
and filter every 50.000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi. police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the Index.
6-14

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

Maintenance Schedule
Short TripKity Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of' these conditions is true for your
ehick:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
off-road frequently.
your vehicle.
or other comnwcial application.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
0 You I-'recluently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
OII~? of'the 1-ec1,son.s !*OLL .sho~rl~l,fi,ll~~t~~ this .sc*Iwdulc~ if you
optute !mrr \vl?ic*le L~OI- elq* of' thesc c-oditiorzs is tlwt
those cwclitior1.v
(YILIS~ e~lgiw oil to h~wk lloc
SOOIIOK
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change
(or 3 months, whichever occurs first). Chassis
Lubrication (or
3 months. whichever occurs first). Drive
Axle Service (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Short TripKity Intervals
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection.
if' driving in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD only) (or at each brake
relining, whichever occurs
first).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel Tank, Cap
and Lines Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV
j Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months. whichever occ~lrs first).
Thc>,vt> if?ter~ul.s o~l~- .swwncrri:o 1uc1intemtlce ser\!ic:t>s.
He ,s11t-~3 to folloct- the c-omplote mrlirztencrnc'cJ .sc*he,dult?
on tl~~~.~~)ll~)~~,i~l~~ pclgr.s.
7-5

Maintenance Schedule
I Long Trip/Hiahway Definition
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule
is true. Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used
for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Lone TridHiehwav Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever C)CCLI~S first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every
I2 months, whichever
occ~~rs first). Drive Axle Service. Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Fuel Filter
Replacement.
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD only) (or at each brake
relining, whichever occurs first).
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel
Tank, Cap and
Lines Inspection.
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months. whichever occurs first).
Every 50,000 NIiles (83 000 km): Automatic
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
7-6

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule LIP to 100.000 miles
( I66 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
( 166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150.000 miles (240
000 km) should be performed at
the
same interval after 150.000 miles (240 000 km).
See "Owner Checks and Services" and "Periodic
Maintenance Inspections" following.
Footnotes
-f The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not
nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle's useful life. We. however,
urge that
all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and
the maintenance
be recorded.
## Lubricate the front suspension. ball joints. steering
linkage and transfer case shift linkage. parking brake
cable guides, propshaft splines. Lulivel-sal joints and
brake
pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See "Brake System Inspection" under "Periodic
Maintenance Inspection"
in Part C of this schedule.
'i::k Drive axle service (see "Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants"
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
0
0
0
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed.
If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain tluid and refil
every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
tluid
as needed at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refil
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required
for
heavy-duty or off-road use.
1
1
7-7