GMC SIERRA 1995 Manual PDF

Key in the Ignition
If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an easy target
for joy riders or professional thieves
- so don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door, you‘ll hear a tone
reminding
you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you.
Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you have
an automatic transmission, taking your key out also
locks your transmission. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep
your valuables out of sight. Put them in a storage area, or take them
with
you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it‘s best
to lock
it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition
key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
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:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the first 500
miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first
500 miles
(804 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 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.
Don’t tow a trailer during “break-in.” See “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index
for more information.
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New Vehicle “Break-In” - 3500 HD Model
If you have a 3500 HD model, your parking brake requires a special
break-in procedure. See “Parking Brake”
in the Index.
Ignition Switch
Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn the ignition switch
to five different positions:
2
5
1. OFF
2. RUN
3. START
4. ACC
5. LOCK
ACC (Accessory):
ACC lets you use things like the radio, power windows
and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. To get into ACC, push in
the key and turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just
as it was before you inserted the key.
LOCK: This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transmission.
It’s
a theft deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when
the ignition
is turned to LOCK.
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still turn the steering
wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering wheel like LOCK. Use
OFF if you must
have your vehicle
in motion while the engine is off (for example, if your
vehicle is being pushed).
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START: This starts your engine.
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ITICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure
it is all the
way in. If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and
right while you turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your vehicle needs
service.
Key Release Button
The ignition key cannot be removed
from the ignition
of
manual transmission
vehicles unless the
key release button is
used.
To Remove the Key
On manual transmission vehicles, turn the key to the LOCK position while
pressing the key release button in (see the caution earlier i\
n this section about the key release lever). Keeping your finger on the butt\
on, pull the key straight out.
On automatic transmission vehicles,
turn the key to LOCK and pull it
straight cwt.
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Starting Your Gasoline Engine
If you have a diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel Engine” in the Index.
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number for your engine.
You will
find the
VIN at the top left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number”
in the Index.) Follow the proper steps to start the
engine.
Automatic trunsnaission:
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won’t
start
in any other position - that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you
do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only
when your vehicle
is stopped.
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start
if the clutch pedal is not
all the way down
- that’s a safety feature.
To start ymr 4.3 Liter V6 (Code Z) or 5.0 Liter V8 (Code H) engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will
go down as your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time
will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in START. If it doesn’t start
in three seconds, push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the
way down for
12 more seconds, or until it starts.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could be
flooded
with too much gasoline. Try this:
4. Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down. Then push your
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. Hold
it there. Then, hold the
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key in START for no more than ten seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and do Step 4
again.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key and the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your
vehicle.
If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the
way the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see t,he part of this
manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle.
See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
To start your 5.7 Liter (Code K) or 7.4 Liter (Code N) V8 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will
go down as your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time
will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in START. If it doesn’t start
in three seconds, push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the
way down for
12 more seconds, or until it starts.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could be
flooded with too much gasoline. Try this:
4. Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down. Then push your
accelerator pedal
all the way to the floor. Hold it there. Then hold the
key
in START for no more than ten seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from
the engine. If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and do Step 4 again.
When
the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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Hot Engine Restart (Vehicles With 5.7L LO5 Engine and Over 8500 lbs.
GVWR):
If your engine is already hot and then stalls, turn your ignition key to OFF.
Then turn your key to RUN and wait 20 seconds before you restart your
engine. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your
vehicle.
If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the
way the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see the part of this
manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle.
See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water,
water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly
damage your engine. Never drive through water that is slightly \
lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you can’t avoid
deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very
slowly.
Driving In Snow (Diesel Engines)
When driving in a heavy snowstorm or in swirling snow with a diesel
engine, snow can get into the air intake system. If you keep driving
in these
conditions
the air cleaner may get plugged, causing black smoke and loss of
power. In an emergency, if the air cleaner gets plugged with snow, you can
remove the air cleaner. Then, drive to
a place of safety as soon as possible
and
put the air cleaner back on.
Starting Your Diesel Engine
Your diesel engine starts differently than a gasoline engine.
1. Automatic transmission: Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N). Your engine won’t start in any other position - that’s
a safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
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NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you
do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only
when your vehicle is stopped.
2. MmLwl ~I-~~CZ.SI~~~.YS~~CZ: Move your shift lever to NEUTRAL (N) and
hold the clutch pedal
to the floor while starting the engine. Your vehicle
won't start
if the clutch pedal is not all the wlay down - that's a safety
feature.
Turn your ignition key to
RUN.
Observe the GLOW PLUGS light. (This light may not come on if the
engine is hot.)
NOTICE:
If the GLOW PLUGS light stays on, it means that your vehicle
could have one
of several problems, so you should have it
serviced right away.
3. As soon as the GLOW PLUGS light goes off. IMMEDIATELY turn the
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts. let go of the key. (The
longer you wait to start after the light goes
off, the harder it will be to
start the engine.)
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time
will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
4. If the engine does not start after IS seconds of cranking. turn the
ignition key to OFF. Wait one minute
for the starter to cool. then try the
same steps again.
If you're trying to start your engine after you've run out of fuel. follocv the
steps
in "Running Out of Fuel" (see "Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel
System"
in the Index).
When
YOLI~ engine is cold. let it run for a few minutes before you move your
vehicle. This lets oil pressure build
up. Your engine will sound louder when
it's cold.
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NOTICE:
If you’re not in an idling vehicle and the engine overheats, you
wouldn’t be there to see the coolant temperature gage. This
could damage your vehicle. Don’t let your engine run when
you’re not in your vehicle.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel Engine)
The following tips will help you get good starting in cold weather.
Use
SAE IOW-30 oil when the outside temperature drops below freezing.
When the outside temperature drops below
0°F (-1 floc), use your engine
coolant heater.
If you park your vehicle in a garage, you shouldn’t need to use the coolant
heater until the garage temperature goes below
0°F (-I SOC), no matter how
cold
it is outside.
To use the engine coolant heater, first turn off the engine. Then open the
hood, unwrap the electrical cord and plug it in. It uses normal house voltage
(I 10 volts), but:
A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the cord in
the manner it was, to help keep it away from moving engine
parts.
If you don’t, it could be torn and damaged.
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How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends on the weather,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Follow this chart.
Viscosity/
Oil Grade
SAE
1 OW-30
SAE
15W-40
32°F to 0°F
(0°C to -18°C)
Not
Required
Not
Required
0°F to -10°F
(-18OC
to
-23 O C)
Two
Hours:!:
Two
Hours‘%
Below -10°F
Below -23”
C
Eight Hours’>
or Overnight
Eight Hours* or Overnight
’%The times listed are minimum times.
It will not harm either the coolant
heater or the vehicle to leave
the coolant heater plugged in longer than the
times stated.
See “Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System’’
in the Index for
information
on what fuel to use in cold weather.
If Your Diesel Engine Won’t Start
If you‘ve run out of fuel, look at “Running Out of Fuel” (see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System”
in the Index).
If you‘re not out of fuel, and your engine won’t start, do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. Make sure that the GLOW PLUGS light is
out. Then IMMEDIATELY turn the ignition key to START.
If the light doesn’t go off, wait a few seconds, then try starting your engine
again. And, see your dealer as soon as
you can for a starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes off and you know your batteries are
charged, but your engine still won’t start, your vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come on when the engine is cold, your vehicle needs
service.
If your batteries don‘t have enough charge to start your engine, see
“Battery”
in the Index.
Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that you’ve changed the
oil at the proper times. If you use the wrong
oil, your engine may be harder
to start.
If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your vehicle needs service.
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A CAUTION:
Do not use gasoline or starting “aids,” such as ether, in the air
intake. They could damage your engine. There could also be
a
fire, which could cause serious personal injury.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather. 0°F (-I SOC) or colder, the engine coolant heater can
help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should
be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded I IO-volt outlet.
A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind
of extension cord could
overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
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