trailer GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Manual

New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it
will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first
500 miles (805 km).
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to five different
positions.
C
I
ACCESSORY (A): ACCESSORY lets you use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine
is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will remain locked. just as it was
before you inserted the key.
2-13

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located
on the console between the seats or on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for
YOLK shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with a column shift lever. it
features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the
shift lever is capable of being moved out of-’
the PARK (P) position. This means that if your key is in
the OFF position, but not locked, there will be a snnall
current drain on your battery which could discharge
your battery over a period of time. If you need to leave
your key
in the ignition in the OFF position for an
extended period, it is recommended that you disconnect
the battery cable from the battery to prevent discharging
your battery.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when
YOLI start your engine because yo~~r
vehicle can’t move easily. It
is dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
nwve the shift lever to
PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll
-- even if your shift lever is
in
PARK (P) -- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two-wheel high
(2HI) or four-wheel
high
(4HI) or four-wheel low (4LO) -- not in
NEUTRAL (N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
2-18

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a): This position is for
normal driving.
If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
0 Going about 35 mph (56 kdh) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@) should not be used
when towing
a trailer, carrying a heavy load. driving on
steep hills, or for off-road driving. Select DRIVE
(D)
when operating the vehicle under any of these conditions.
DRIVE (D): This position is also used for normal
driving, however
it offers Inore power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@). You
should use DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills or winding roads or
for off-road driving.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower
fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on. You
can
also LIS~ SECOND (2) for starting your vehicle
from
a stop on slippery road surfaces.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can
use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever
is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward. the transmission won’t shift into
FIRST
( I) until thc vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position
on a
hill.
2-20

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake. hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left
foot. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light
will come on.
To
release the parking brake hold the regular brake
pedal
down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You
may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and you must park on a hill,
see "Towing a Trailer" in the Index. That section shows
what to
do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-29

Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission
Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you have four-wheel drive with a manual
transfer case shift
lever and your transfer case is
in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to roll,
even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure
the transfer case is in
a drive gear -- not in
NEUTRAL
(N). If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brakc.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
2-30

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
YOLI have to fully apply your regular brake before you
can shift
from PARK (PI when the ignition is in the
RUN position. See "Automatic Transmission Operation"
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P)? ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want (you must
press the shift lever button
if you have the console
shift lever).
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out
of PARK (P)? try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 3.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, turn off your engine,
put your- manual transmission in REVERSE (R) and
firmly apply the parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive with it manual transfer case
shift lever, be sure your transfer case is in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll
if it isn't.
If you are parking on a hill. or if your vehicle is pulling
a trailer, see "Towing a Trailer" in the Index.
2-33

Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if
ever have to, here are some things to know.
Idling the engine with the air system control
off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard.
l (See “Blizzard” in the Index.)
I-
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to.
If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive with a manual transfer case
shift lever and your transfer case is in NEUTRAL
(N),
your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your shift lever
is in
PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N). Always set your parking
brake. Follow the proper steps
to be sure your vehicle
won’t move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
2-35

Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has twio upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you
to signal a turn or LI lane change.
To signal a tum, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished. the lever will return automatically.\

An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash
in the
direction
of the turn
or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
unt.il the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete
your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when
you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don't
flash but just stay
on, a signal bulb may be burned out
and other drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help ac.oid an
accident.
If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal
a turn, check the fuse (see "Fuses and Circuit
Breakers"
in the Index) and for burned-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps.
a different turn signal flasher is used.
With this flasher installed, the signal indicator will flash
even
if ;I turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal
lamps regularly to make sure they
are working.
Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low-beam to high or
high
to low. pull the multifunction lever all the way
toward you. Then release
it.
2-39

If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer. reduce the anlount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains
on steady. see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues t.o flash, when it is safe to do so.
stop the \?el?ic&~. Find a safe place to park your vehiclc.
Turn the key off,
wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did
you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making s111-e to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can cleter~nine
if the fuel cap
has been left off
or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap
will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn
the light off,
Did you *just drive through a deep puddle of water’!
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
I1 so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with cpality fuel (see
“Fuel”
in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to
r11n as e,fficiently as designed. You may
notice this
as stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle
into gear, mistlring, hesitation on acceleration
or
stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go
away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be detected
by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use.
It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light. turn off.
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic
tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problcnls that may have developed.

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds\
of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips
on driving.
4-2
4-3 4-6
4-6 4-9
4-11
4-12 4-13
4-14
4-28 4-29
4-32 4-3 3 Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving Control
of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving Guidelines
Driving at Night
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving Recreational Vehicle Towing
(Four-wheel Drive with the
Manual Shift Transfer Case Only)
Recreational Vehicle Towing (Except
Four-wheel Drive with the Manual Shift
Transfer Case)
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
4-34
4-35
4-35
4-37 4-4
1
4-42
4-42 4-45
4-1