oil level GMC SIERRA 1994 Owners Manual

A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerously low oil
level
or other problem causing low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as
possible.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be
costly and
is not covered by your warranty.
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Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend
to
think you are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh
- such as after a day’s work - don’t plan to make too many
miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to go.
If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts
in Vehicle
dealerships all across
North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if
you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape‘?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
0 Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean‘?
0 Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance driving‘? Are the tires all inflated
to the
recommended pressure‘?
0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip
a short time to avoid a major storm system?
0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about
an easy stretch of road with the same scenery,
along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you! If
it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a
second, and you could crash and be injured.
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A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is
not fully in “P” (Park) 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 and your transfer case is in “N”
(Neutral), your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your shift lever
is in
“P” (Park). So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
- not in “N” (Neutral).
If you are parking on a hill, or if you’re pulling a trailer, also see
“Parking
On Hills” in the Index.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 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 more 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
fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment. Each of these
is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find them 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.
Trailer Light Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
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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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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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Service & Appearance Care
Section
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle . This section
begins with service and fuel information. and then it shows how to check
important fluid and lubricant levels
. There is also technical information
about your vehicle. and a section devoted to its appearance care
.
Service ................................................... 6-3
Fuel (Gasoline Engines)
...................................... 6-4
Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
...................... 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............................. 6-15
HoodRelease
.......................................... 6-15
Cleaning Your Diesel Engine
.............................. 6-16
Noise Control System .................................... 6-16
Engine Oil (Except Diesel)
................................ 6-17
Engine Oil (Diesel Engines)
............................... 6-24
iri
Air Cleaner ............................................ 6-29
Automatic Fluid ........................................ 6-30
ManualFluid
........................................... 6-33
Hydraulic Clutch
........................................ 6-34
RearAxle ............................................. 6-35
mnsfer Case
.......................................... 6-36
FrontAxle
............................................. 6-37
Engine Coolant
......................................... 6-38
Power Steering Fluid
.................................... 6-43
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Tampering With Noise Control System Prohibited
Federal law prohibits the following acts or the causing thereof:
1 . The removal or rendering inoperative by any person, other than for
purposes
of maintenance, repair or replacement, of any device or
element
of design incorporated into any new vehicle for the purpose of
noise control, prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or
while
it is in use; or
2. The use of the vehicle after such device or element of design has been
removed or rendered inoperative by any person.
Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are the acts listed
below.
Insulation:
Removal of noise shields or underhood insulation.
Engine:
Removal or rendering engine speed governor (if so equipped)
inoperative
so as to allow engine speed to exceed manufacturer
specifications.
Fan and Drive:
Removal of fan clutch (if so equipped) or rendering clutch inoperative.
Removal of fan shroud (if so equipped).
Air Intake:
Removal of air cleaner silencer.
Reversing air cleaner cover.
Exhaust:
Removal of muffler and/or resonator.
Removal of exhaust pipes and exhaust pipe clamps.
Engine Oil (Except Diesel)
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.
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I
I
I
To Check Engine Oil
Turn off the engine
and give the oil a few
minutes to drain back
into the
oil pan. If you
don’t, the oil dipstick
might
not show the
actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind of oil
to use.
For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
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The engine oil filler
cap is located on
the
driver’s side engine
valve cover.
Just
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back
in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst” symbol. The “starburst” symbol
indicates that
the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute
(API), and
is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
YOU should look for this on the front of the oil container, and use only oils
that display this new symbol.
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If you cannot find oils with the new “starburst” symbol on the front of the
container,
you should look for and use oils containing the following three
things:
SHor SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such as “SH/CD,” “SH,SG,CD,”
“SG/CD,” etc. These letters show American Petroleum Institute (API)
levels of quality.
0 SAE 5W-30 -Vehicles with Light Duty Emissions (SSOO GVWR or
less) OR
SAE 1 OW-30 -Vehicles with Heavy Duty Emissions (850 1 GVWR or
more).
0 Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included
in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol)
on most containers. If you cannot find oils with the “starburst” symbol, you
should look for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol, containing the three
things noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either the “starburst” symbol or
an
API SH or SG designation, you can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
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