suspension GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Manual

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.
4-27

The CertificatiodTire label also tells you the maximum
weights far the front and rear
axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need to go to
a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different
GVWRs
and payloads. Please note your vehick's
CertificatiodTire label or consult your dealer for
additional details.
A CAUTION:
Do not load yuurvehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break,
or
it can change the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you to
lose control. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or
if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
4-43

c A -T-l[BN:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
0
0
0
0
0
0
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always use separate safety chains on each
side when towing
a vehicle.
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
I
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequatelJT secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should
he tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut
by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted
in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They
will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
5-8

NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascia/fog lamp damage
will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment. To help avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance
is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
5-10

NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or rear
bumper valance damage
will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment.
Unless you have all-wheel drive, to help avoid
damage, install
a towing dolly and raise the
vehicle until adequate clearance
is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or ,J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted
in
the T-hook slots.
5-11

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

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up 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
3' The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 01- 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 Ihe front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage and transfer case
shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, propshaft splines, universal
joints and
brake pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See "Brake System Inspection'' under "Periodic
Maintenance Inspections"
in Part C of this schedule.
Drive axle service (see "Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants"
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
0 Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change.
At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and
add fluid as needed.
0 Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed at every engine
oil change.
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road use.
7-30

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice
a year (for instance. each
spring and fall). You should let
your GM dealer's
service department or other qualified service center
do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed
at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found
in a GM service nnanual. See "Service and Owner
Publications"
in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot
and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged. loose or missing parts, signs
of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines
and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts
as well as open seams,
holes. loose connections
or other conditions which could
cause
a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See "Engine Exhaust"
in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked. swollen or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes,
fittings
and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts
as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessi\.e wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
7-50

1997 GMC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling G
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 GMC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1997
GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.0. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended
to provide basic operational information about tl
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenancl
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model
GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name
of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discovet

Garage Door Opener ............................ 2-5 1
GasCap ....................................... 6-5
Gate Ajar Light ................................ 2-81
GAWR ....................................... 4-43
Gear Positions
................................. 2- 18
GIov~ BOX .................................... 2-50
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-43
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-42
Guide en Franqais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-42
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-6
Headlamps .................................... 2-35
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-33
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-39
On Reminder
................................ 2-46
Wiring
..................................... 6-59
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heating ........................................ 3-3
Highway Hypnosis .............................. 4-35
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-35
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-48
Horn
......................................... 2-37
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6- I9
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-3 I
Hood .......................................... 6-6
Check
...................................... 7-47 Ignition
Positions ..............................
Brake System ................................
Suspension .................................. 7-50
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-50
Transfer Case
................................ 7-51
Instrurnent Panel
............................... 2-67
Cleaning
.................................... 6-52
Cluster ..................................... 2-69
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-47
Exhallst
Systems
............................. 7-50
Steering
.................................... 7-50
F~seBlock
.................................. 6-59
Jacking Equipment
............................. 5-26
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key
in the I.ylilion ............................. 2-12
Key Lock Cylinders Service ...................... 7-47
Key Release Burton
............................. 2-15
Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-6
Keys .......................................... 2-2
9-5