brakes GMC SIERRA 1995 Owner's Guide

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. If you have a C
3500 HD model, it has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well. That could lead to an accident. Whe\
n
you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in
costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear indicators, but if you
ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake drum should be removed and inspected each time the
tires are removed for rotation
or changing. When you have the front brakes
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake
trouble.
6-44
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Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up and firmly applying the
brakes
a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modeffl VEShicle is complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle
is to have really good
braking. Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake parts in
them, as your vehicle does when it is new. When you replace parts of your
braking system
- for example, when your brake linings wear down and
you have to have new ones put
in - be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts. If you don't, your brakes may no longer work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes can change
- for
the worse. The braking performance you've come to expect can change
in
many other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Front Shock Absorbers
The front shock absorbers of your vehicle do many things. They help the
vehicle ride smoothly and
also control the travel of the suspension system.
When the shock absorbers are serviced, any replacement shock absorbers
must be the same as the original equipment shock absorbers
in both
extended length and strength.
I NOTICE:
If you use shock absorbers that are not the same as the original
shock absorbers, the shock absorbers
or suspension system
could be damaged.
6-45
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Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the parking brake.
0
0 To check the parking brake: With the engine running and transmission
in NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability: Shift to PARK
(P). Then release all brakes.
Lap and Shoulder Belts Condition and Operation
Inspect belt system, including: webbing, buckles, latch plates, retractors,
guide loops and anchors. Have a belt assembly replaced
if the webbing has
been cut or otherwise damaged.
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1995 SERVICE PUBLICATIONS
ORDERING INFORMATION
You can get manuals that tell how to operate and service your vehicle.
To order them,
fill out the order form on the next page and send it to
the address below.
GMC Truck Service Publications
Post Office Box 436006
Pontiac, MI 48343
If you have questions or would like to order using your credit c\
ard,
call us TOLL FREE at 1-800-627-5699.
From outside the Continental United States, please call 1-31 3-455-801 6
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis, repair and overhaul informat\
ion on
engines, transmissions, axle, suspension, brakes, electrical, stee\
ring,
body, etc.
NOTE: Please specify special body or engine types on order form.
Write information in the Form Number column. For example: Turbo,
Convertible.
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for owners and intended to
provide basic operational information about the vehicle. The Own\
er’s
Manual includes the Maintenance Schedule for all models. Owner’s
manuals are available individually or as a complete portfolio.
GM SERVICE BULLETINS
GM Service Bulletins (GMSB) provides technical service informat\
ion to
knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
These bulletins may
be purchased in a subscription package. Pricing
and ordering information is available by calling 1-800-762-4356,
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Index
A
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle (See "Supplemental
Intlatable Restraint System (SIR)")
Air Bag (See "Supplemental Intlatable Restrain1 System (SIR)")
Air Cleaner (See "Engine-Air Cleaner")
Air Conditioning (See "HeatedAir Conditioning Controls")
Antenna
....................................................... 3-25
Readiness Light
(See "Lights")
Anti-Lock Brakes (See "Brakes")
Appearance Care
................................
Materials Chart ..............................
Arbitration Program (See "Better Business Bureau Media
Audio Systems
.................................
................ 6-67
................. 6-75
. tion")
.................. 3-6
Care of Your Cassette Player and Tapes ............................ 3-24
Care_of Compact Discs
......................................... 3-25
ETR: AM-FM Stereo Audio Cassette System
....................... 3-9
ETRf AM-FM Stereo Audio Cassette ATC System
.................. 3-11
ETR'?' AM-FM Stereo Audio Compact Disc ATC System ............. 3-16
Rcmote Cassette Player
...................................... 3-22
ETR&AM-FM Stereo Audio System
............................... 3-7
THEFTLOCK Theft Deterrent Feature
........................ 3- 14. 3-20
Understanding Radio Reception .................................. 3-23
Automatic Transmission (See "Tnlnsmission")
Axle LockingRea r
................................................. 2-27
Front (See "Four-Wheel Drive")
Rear
........................................................ 6-32
B
Battery ........................................................ 6-47
Belts (See "Safety Belts")
Better Business Bureau Mediation
.................................... 8-3
Blizzard (See "Driving-If You're Caught
in a Blizzard")
Brakes Adjustment
.................................................. 6-45
Anti-Lock (ABS)
.............................................. 4-6
Anti-Lock Warning Light (See "Lights")
Hydro-Boost Brake System
..................................... 6-41
Master Cylinder .............................................. 6-42
Parking
..................................................... 2-27
PedalTravel
................................................. 644
Propshaft Parking Brake Burnish Procedure
........................ 2-28
Replacingparts
............................................... 6-45
System Warning Light (See *'Lights")
To Check Brake Fluid .......................................... 6-43
Trailer (.See "Trailer-Brakes")
Transmission Shift Interlock
(BTSI) ............................... 2-20
Wear
....................................................... 6-44
WhattoAdd
................................................. 643
Braking ......................................................... 4-5
In Emergencies ................................................ 4-7
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Lamps (continued)
Lamp and Bulb Data
........................................... 6-88
Reading
..................................................... 2-51
Replacement (See “Bulb Replacement“)
Underhood Reel Lamp
......................................... 2-52
Lights ......................................................... 2-70
Air Bag Readiness Light
................................... 1-20, 2-71
Anti-. Lock Brake System Warning Light
........................... 2-73
Brake System Warning Light
.................................... 2-72
Charging System Warning Light
.................................. 2-76
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light
................ 2-50, 2-77
Check
Gages Light
............................................ 2-77
Glow Plugs Light
............................................. 2-75
Headlamp High Beam Indicator Light
............................. 2-78
Headlights (See “Headlamps”) Low Coolant Warning Light
................................ 2-75, 6-38
Malfunction Indicator
..................................... 2-76, 6-57
Safety Belt Reminder Light
..................................... 2-71
Service Throttle Soon
.......................................... 2-74
ShiftLight
.............................................. 2-25, 2-78
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator Light .................. 240, 2-79
Water
in Fuel (Diesel Engine) .................................... 2-74
Loading Your Vehicle
............................................ 4-37
Trailering Package
............................................ 4-39
Truck-Camper Loading
........................................ 4-39
Lock Cylinders (See “Key Lock Cylinders“)
Loss of Control (See “Driving-Loss
of Control”)
Lubrication (See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants“)
M
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (See “Lights”)
Maintenance (See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”)
Master Cylinder (See “Brakes”)
Mirrors Convexoutside
............................................... 2-56
Electric Outside Rearview Mirrors
................................ 2-56
Electrochromic Inside Rearview Mirror
............................ 2-54
Inside
....................................................... 2-53
Outside
..................................................... 2-56
ModelReference
.................................................. iv
Multifunction Lever .............................................. 2-39
N
Noise Control System ............................................ 6-14
0
Odometer (See “Gages“)
Off-Road Driving (See ”Driving-Off Road Driving”)
Off-Road Recovery
............................................... 4-9
6
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Oil DieselEngines
............................................... 6-21
Additives
................................................. 6-25
Pressure Gage (See “Gages”
j
ToCheck ................................................. 6-22
WhatKindtoUse
.......................................... 6-23
WhentoAdd
.............................................. 6-22
WhentoChange
............................................ 6-25
What to Do with Used Oil
.................................... 6-25
Gasoline Engines
............................................. 6-16
Additives
................................................. 6-20
Pressure Gage (See “Gages”)
ToCheck
................................................. 6-16
WhatKindtoUse
.......................................... 6-17
WhentoAdd .............................................. 6-17
When to Change ............................................ 6-20
What to Do with Used
Oil .................................... 6-21
Owner Checks and Services
........................................ 7-93
Parking Brake (See “Brakes-Parking”)
On Hills (See “Towing-Parking on Hills’*j
Over Things That Burn
........................................
Passing (See “Drivin~-Passing”)
Periodic Maintenance Inspections (See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”)
Power
Door Locks (See “Dood’j 2-31
Steering
...................................................... 4-7
Steering Fluid
................................................ 640
Take-Off
.................................................... 4-35
Winches
..................................................... 4-34
Radiator Pressure Cap
............................................ 6-39
Radio (See “Audio Systems”)
Rear Axle (See ”Axle”)
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants (See “Scheduled Maintenance Services“)
Recovery Hooks
................................................. 5-40
Replacement Parts ............................................... 6-80
Reporting Safety Defects To The United States Government (See “Safety Defects”)
Roadside Assistance
............................................... 8-5
Rocking Your Vehicle ............................................ 5-39
Rear Window Defogger
............................................ 3-4
Safety Belts ..................................................... 1-9
Adults ...................................................... 1-12
Center Passenger Position ....................................... 1-25
Checking Restraint System ...................................... 1-44
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Towing ATrailer
.................................................... 442
DrivingonGrades
.......................................... 4-47
Driving with
a Trailer ....................................... 4-46
ParkingonHills
............................................ 4-48
Passing
................................................... 4-46
Safety Chains
.............................................. 445
Hitches
..................................................... 4-45
TowingYourVehicle .............................................. 5-7
Trailer
Brakes
...................................................... 4-45
Recommendations ............................................. 4-42
Towing (See “Towing”)
Wiring Harness
.......................................... 2-83. 6-79
Trailering Package (See “Loading Your Vehicle”)
Transmission
Automatic
.............................................. 2-19. 6-27
How To Add Fluid
.......................................... 6-30
How
To Check Fluid ........................................ 6-27
When to Check and Change Fluid
.............................. 6-27
Five-SpeedManual
...................................... 2-22: 6-30
How
To Add Fluid .......................................... 6-31
HowToCheck
............................................. 6-30
Shift Light (See “Lights”)
Shiftspeeds
............................................... 2-25
With Low
Gear ............................................ 2-22
WithoutLowGear
.......................................... 2-24
WhenToCheck
............................................ 6-30
TorqueLock
............................................ 2-28, 2-30
Trip Odometer (See “Gages”)
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator (See “Lights”)
V
Vehicle
Damage Warnings
............................................... vi
Identification Number ..................................... 6-76. 6-77
Loading (See “Loading Your Vehicle”)
Storage
..................................................... 6-47
Symbols
........................................... v. vi. v11. ~111. ix
Ventilation System
................................................ 3-5
Tips ......................................................... 3-5
Voltmeter (See “Gages”)
.....
Warning
Devices. Other
................................................ 5-2
Hazard Flashers (See “Hazard Warning Flashers”)
Lights and Indicators
........................................... 2-70
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