warning GMC SAVANA 1997 Owners Manual

How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together
to explain
things quickly.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index
in back
of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s
in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use
a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt
you if you were to ignore
the warning.
I
A CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then
we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce
the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or
others could be hurt.
iii
ProCarManuals.com

You will also find a circle
with
a slash through it in
this book.
This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this,” or “Don’t
let this happen.”
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
I NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not
be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you-might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings
in different colors or
in different words.
You’ll also see warning labels
on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
iv
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BAlTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS e e3
TURN
RUNNING
' *o
DAYTIME ..
LAMPS .*'
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
,
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols
are
used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN b
SPEAKER
b
FUEL e3
V
ProCarManuals.com

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-6
2-9
2-15
2-16
2-16
2-17
2- 19
2-20
2-23
2-23
2-24 2-27
2-27
2-28
2-28 Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System
Your Doors and
How They Work
Theft
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Switch Starting Your Gasoline Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (Option) Automatic Transmission Operation
Locking Rear Axle
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked 2-29
2-32
2-32
2-33
2-3 8 2-43
2-44
2-45
2-46
2-47
2-48
2-49
2-50
2-60
2-6 1 Windows
Horn
Tilt
Wheel (Option)
Turn Signalhlultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Cigarette LightedAshtrays Sun Visors
Instrument Panel Instrument Cluster
Speedometer
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Electronic Road-Speed Governor
(Gasoline Engines) (Option)
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
2-1
ProCarManuals.com

Locking Rear Axle
If you have this feature, your locking rear axle can
give you additional traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand or
gravel.
It works like a standard axle most of the time,
but when one
of the rear wheels has no traction and the
other does, the locking feature will allow the wheel with
traction
to move the vehicle.
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. Pull the handle, located just above the
parking brake pedal, marked
BRAKE RELEASE to
release the parking brake.
2-23
ProCarManuals.com

I
t
:f the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
he
brake system warning light will go off.
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. Always check to be
sure your parking brake
is fully released before
you drive.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
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’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2-24
ProCarManuals.com

1
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or
is a problem
with one
of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle. When
one
of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one
of the gages shows
there may be
a problem, check the section that tells you
what to
do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a tone will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled,
neither the tone nor the
light will come on.
2-50
ProCarManuals.com

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
United States
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it
doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
Canada
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
2-52
ProCarManuals.com

1 C-UTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident.
If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come
on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
Canada
ANTI -
LOCK
United States
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That’s normal.
2-53
ProCarManuals.com

If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s a problem
with your regular brakes. See
“Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
You may have this light on
the instrument panel. It will
light whenever the DRL are
on, It is also a reminder to
turn on your headlamps
when driving at night. For
more details about DRL, see
“Headlamps and Vehicle
Lighting” in this section.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service
Engine Soon Light) (Gasoline Engine)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
SERVICE control systems.
ENGINE SOON
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada, OBD
I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The SERVICE ENGINE
SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often
will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
2-54
ProCarManuals.com