GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Manual

I NOTICE: (Continued) I
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you
can get the following:
0 Unusual wear
0 Bad handling
0 Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or n101-e. Also. check the
tire pressure
of the spare tire.
I! you have a compact spare tire. it should be at 60 psi
(420
k Pa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell
if your tires are properly inflated
simply
by looking at thcm. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underintlatecl.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks
by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires s11o111d be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
( IO 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
we;^. rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See "When 1t.s Time for New Tires" and
"Wheel Replacement" later
in this section for
more information.
Thc purpose
of' reg~~lar rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear
fur all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation
is thu most important. See "Schecluled
Maintenance Services"
in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
r --
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I1
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, don’t include it
in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the
Certificatioflire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque’’ in
the Index.
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt
off. (See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
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When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear
when YOLII- tires have
only 1/16 inch ( I .6 mm) or
less
of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
0 You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or hbric showing through the
tire's rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked. cut or snagged deep
enough
to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump. bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the darnage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind ;m.l size of tires you need, look at
the CertificatiodTire label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when
it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number
on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction. ride and other things during normal service
on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the
TPC number will be followed by an "MS"
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not hktving a
TPC Spec number. make sure [hey are the same size.
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
c get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
6-44

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.
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Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter. width. offset and
be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts. replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way.
you will be sure to have the
right wheel. wheel bolts
and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
I
A CAUTION: r)
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured.
Alwrays use the
correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
~~ ,.
See "Changing a Flat Tire" in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
'
A CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how
far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use
a new GkI original equipment wheel.
6-47

Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P235/75R15, P235/70K15 or
31xlOSOR15LT/C size tires, don’t use tire chains.
They can. damage your vehicle because there’s
not enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only
if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If you do hd a traction device that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
If you have other size tires, use tire chains only
where legal and only when you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains that are the proper
size for your tires. Install them on the drive axle
tires (,four-wheel-drive vehicles can use chains on both axles) and tighten them as tightly
as possible
with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
If
you can hear the chains contacting your vehicle,
stop and retighten them.
If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving
too fast or
spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage
your vehicle.
6-48

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst
into flame it' you strike a
match or get then? on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if ~OLI breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you
LIS~ anything from a container to clean your
vehicle. be sure to
follow the manufacturer's warnings
and instructions. And
always open your doors or
windows when you're cleaning the inside.
Newr use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint 'Thinner
Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can
all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle. too. Don't
LM any of these
unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
0 Laundry Soap
0 Bleach
6 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe
vinyl or leather with a clean. damp cloth.
Your GM dealer has two cleaners, a solvent-type spot
lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will clean
normal spots and stains very
well. Do not use them on
vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always
read the instructions on the cleaner Iabei.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge. and change to a clean
area often.
A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
5. If a ring fornls after spot cleaning, clean the entire
only.
If you use
them. don't saturate the stained area.
area immediately or
it will set.
6-49

Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section.
Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines,
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge. Don't
saturate the material and don't
rub it roughly.
As soon as you've cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe
off what's left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Dry
it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe
with a clean cloth,
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains
will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
I.
2.
3.
4.
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper.
Use very little cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the
outside
of the stain, "feathering" toward the center.
Keep changing to
a clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area
with a blow dryer to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
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Fabric Protection Non-Greasy Stains
Your vehicle has upholstery and carpet that has been
treated with Scotchgard" Fabric Protector,
a 3M
product. It protects fabrics by repelling oil and water,
which are the carriers of most stains. Even
with this
protection, you still need
to clean your upholstery and
carpet often to keep
it looking new.
Further information on cleaning
is available by calling
1-800-433-3296 (in Minnesota, 1-800-642-6 167).
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease. oil, butter. margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing
gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable
oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Follow the solvent-type instructions
described earlier.
Shoe polish, wax crayon,
tar and asphalt will stain if left
on
;1 vehicle's seat fabric. They should be removed as
soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner will
dissolve them and may cause them to spread. Stains caused
by catsup, coffee (black). egg,
fruit. fruit
juice, milk, soft drinks, wine. vomit. urine and blood can
be removed
as follows:
1. CarefLlIly scrape off excess stain. then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
2. If a stain remains. follow the ham-type instructions
described earlier.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit ot- urine. treat
the area
with a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 1111) of baking soda to 1 cup (350 1111)
of lukewarm water.
3. If needed. clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy. ice crean~, mayonnaise. chili
sauce
and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
1 . Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Clean with cool water and allow to dry.
3. If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type clcaner.
6-51