heater GMC SIERRA 1994 User Guide

I
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run
the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps
the battery (or batteries) charged.
You will need a well-charged battery (or
batteries) to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your
headlights. Let the heater run for awhile.
If you have a diesel engine, you may have to run it at a higher speed to get
enough heat. Then, shut the engine off and close
the window almost all the
way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible.
Preserve the fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
Power Winches
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle, only use it when your
vehicle
is stationary or anchored.
When operating a power winch on your vehicle, always leave the\

transmission
in "N" (Neutral). Leaving a automatic transmission
in "P" (Park) while using a power winch may damage the
transmission.
Also, leaving an automatic or manual transmission
in gear while using a power winch may damage the
transmission.
Use the regular brakes, set the parking brake, or block the wheels to keep
your vehicle
from rolling.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for
a minute
or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the
window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to “N” (Neutral).
If
you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower for about ten minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back
on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, push the accelerator
until the engine speed is
about twice
as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the engine speed back to
normal idle speed after two or three minutes.
Now see if the warning stops.
But then,
if you still have the warning, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND
GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down.
You
may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.
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Cooling System -Gas Engines
When you decide it's
safe to lift the hood,
here's what you'll see:
A. Coolant recovery
tank
B. Engine fan(s)
C. Radiator pressure
cap
A CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary electric fan
under the hood can start up even when
the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don't do anything
else until it
cools down.
The coolant level
should be at or above
the
COLD mark. If it
isn't, you may have a
leak in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water
pump
or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
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I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, \
heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or above the COLD
mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more thing you can try. You
can add the proper coolant mix directly to the radiator!, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before
you do it.
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A CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary electric fa\
n
under the hood can start up even when the engine
is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
E The coolant level
should be slightly
above the
COLD
mark. If it isn’t, you
may have a leak in the
radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere
else
in the cooling
system.
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... . . , .. ..,. ~.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, \
heater
core and other parts. So use the recommended coolant.
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Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles
(16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated off-road.
If any one
of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil
and-filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first.
Light Duty Emissions:
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
12 months
- whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Heavy Duty Emissions:
If none of them is true, change the oil every 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or
12 months - whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that if mileage determines when you
change
your oil. If time determines when you change your oil, change the
filter each time you change your oil.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater
” in the Index.
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I NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine could overheat
and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Some conditions, such as air trapped in the cooling system, can affect the
coolant level
in the radiator. Check the coolant level when the engine is cold
and follow the steps under “Adding Coolant” for the proper way to add
coolant.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year, have your dealer
check your cooling system.
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to add extra
inhibitors or additives which claim to improve the system. These
can be harmful.
Adding Coolant -Gas Engines
To Check Coolant
The coolant recovery
tank
is located on the
passenger side at the
rear corner
of the
engine compartment.
When your engine
is cold, the coolant level should be at COLD, or a little
higher. When
your engine is warm, the level should be up to HOT, or a little
higher.
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Heater or A/C Control Lamp
Four Wheel Drive Indicator
rour Wheel Drive Shift Lever
Instrument Panel Compartment Lamp
Ashtray Lamp
Sunshade Vanity Mirror
"Crew Cab Only
LAMP OR BULB
INSTRUMENT PANEL
Transmission Indicator (PRNDL)
Daytime Running Lights Indicatory
Charging System Indicator Lamp
Instrument Cluster Illumination
--Gage Cluster
Instrument Cluster Illumination
-Tachometer Cluster
Headlamp Beam Indicator
Directional Signal Indicator
Brake Warning Indicator
Safety Belt Warning
Check Gages Indicator
Malfunction Indicator ("Service
Engine Soon") Lamp
Upshift Indicator
Glow Plugs Lamp*:$:
Low Coolant
Water
in Fuel Lamp*'$
Service Throttle Soon Lamp*"
194
161
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194
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TRADE NO.
161
74
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I94 74 74
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74
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74
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Driving (continued) AtNight
............................................... 4-24. 4.38
BackingUp
.................................................. 4-42
Defensive
.................................................... 4-2
Downhill
.................................................... 4-19
Freeway
...................................................... 4-29
Highway Hypnosis
............................................ 4-30
Hydroplaning
................................................ 4-27
InBlizzard
................................................... 4-35
InCity
...................................................... 4-28
InRain
...................................................... 4-26
In Sand, Mud, Ice, Or Snow
........................... 2-15,4-22, 5-40
InWater
..................................................... 4-23
Nightvision
................................................. 4-25
Off-Roading
................................................. 4-13
OnGrades
................................................... 4-43
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................................... 4-31
On Off-Road Hills
............................................ 4-16
On Snow or Ice
..................................... 2-15,433, 4-55
Skidding
.................................................... 4-12
Stuck in Deep Snow
...................................... 4-40, 5-40
Throughwater
.......................................... 2-15, 4-23
Uphill
...................................................... 4-17
Winter
...................................................... 4-33
WithaTrailer
................................................ 4-41
DrunkenDriving ................................................. 4-2
E
Electronic Heating/Air Conditioning (See “Heating”) Engine Adding Coolant
..................................... 5.14.5.17. 6-41
Coolant (Block) Heater
................................ 2.19.3-4. 6.23
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel)
................................... 2-17
Coolant
...................................... 5.13.5.20.6-92. 6.98
Coolant Temperature Gage
...................................... 2-79
Diesel
.................................................. 2.16. 6-5
Crankcase .............................................. 2.96. 6.93
Exhaust
................................................ 2.33. 6.64
FanNoise
................................................... 5-25
Identification
................................................. 6-89
Oil (See “Oil”)
RunningWhileParked
......................................... 2-33
Aircleaner
.................................................. 6-29
Noise Control System
.......................................... 6-16
Overheating
.................................................. 5-11
starting ................................................ 2.12. 2.16
Equipment. Add-on
............................................. 6-68
Exhaustsystem
............................................ 2.33. 6-64
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