maintenance GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Manual

The 1997 GMC Jimmy Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and sal’ety belts properly. It also cxplains the “SIR” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you‘ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine. etc
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you llow to contact GMC for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on ”Reporling Safety Defects” on pase X- IO.
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Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
The air bag affects how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system
in several places
around your vehicle. You don't want
the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer and the GM Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and
the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see "Service and
Owner Publications''
in the Inde-x.
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A CAUTION:
For up to two minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service.
You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape,
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the
front
of my vehicle, will it keep the air bag from
working properly?
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is
attached to your vehicle
so that the vehicle's basic
structure isn't changed, it's
not likely to keep the
air bag from working properly
in a crash.
Is there anything I might add to the front of the
vehicle that could keep the air bag from
working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle's
frame. bumper system, front end sheet metal or
height, they may keep the air bag system from
working properly.
Also, the air bag system may not
work properly if you relocate any of the air bag
sensors.
If you have any question about this, you
should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle.
(The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are
in Step Two of
the Customer Satisfiction Procedure
in this manual.
See "Customer Satisfaction Procedure"
in the Index.)
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use
it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer
will order you an extender. It’s 1.1-ee. Whe,n you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender
will be. long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat
in your vehicle that
you choose. Don‘t let someone else use
it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it. just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all yo~~r belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other
loose or
dan~aged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that
tnighl keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you
in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or I-i-ayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers. and
have them repaired or replaced. (The
air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)

If the water isn't too deep, then drive through it slowly.
At fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system
and
your vehicle can stall. Stalling can dso occur if you
tailpipe is under water, yo~l*II never be able to start your
engine. When
you go through water. remember that
when your brakes get
wet. it nay take you longer
to stop.
2 wt your tailpipe under water. And. as long as your
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous. Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and
you and your passengers could drown. If it's
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Don't drive
through rushing water.
After Off-Road Driving
Relmove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody. chassis or 11nder the hood. These
accumulations CUI be a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand. have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can C~LIS~
glazing and 1111even braking. Check the body structure.
steering. suspension. wheels, tires and exlxwst system
for damage.
Also. check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
Your
vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
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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.
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Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see "Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle'' in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perfonn. See "Maintenance Record" in the Index.
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A CAUTION:
You can be in-jured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try
to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt any vehicle
nlaintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. "English" and "metric"
fasteners can be easily
confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.
Service
Your GM dealer knows your vehicle best and wants yc.)u
to be happy with it. We hope you'll go to your dealer for
all yo~~r service needs. You'll pet genuine, GM parts and
GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope
~011'11 want to keep yo~~r GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine. GM parts have one of these marks:
Delco
Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work. you'll
want to get the proper GM Service Manual. It tells you
much more about
IIOW to service your vehicle than this
tnanual can. To order the proper service manual, see
"Service and Owner Publications"
ill the Index.
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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.
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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.
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How to Add Fluid
Here's how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
"Recommended Fluids and Lubricants"
in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch system in your vehicle is
self-adjusting.
A slight amount of play ( 1/4 inch to
1/2 inch or ti lnm to 12 mm) in the pedal is normal.
It isn't a good idea to "top OW' your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won't correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule. Owner Checks and
Services. to determine how often you should check the
fluid level
in your clutch master cylinder reservoir and
for the proper fluid. See "Owner Checks and Services''
and "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants"
in
the Index.
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How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it‘s in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often
to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services?’
in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ”Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants“
in the Index.
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