coolant level GMC SIERRA 1995 Owners Manual

fuel economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest and can be used to
keep “unwanted odors” and/or dust from entering the vehicle. When using
the air conditioner, turn off recirculation after the vehicle reaches
a
comfortable interior temperature.
When
the right knob on the control panel is between HEAT and DEFROST,
the recirculation feature will not function.
A/C - This button, between the middle and right knobs. allows the air
coming into your vehicle
to be cooled and directed through the instrument
panel vents. This setting is useful for normal cooling
on hot days. When you
first use
A/C with the recirculation button pushed in, turn off recirculation
as soon as the vehicle reaches a comfortable interior temperature.
Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, it is equipped with an engine coolant
heater.
An engine coolant heater is optional on gas engine vehicles. If you
use the engine coolant heater before starting your engine
(in cold weather
(20” F, (-8” C), or lower) your heating system will produce warmer air
faster, to heat the passenger compartment
in cold weather.
The use
of an engine coolant heater also reduces the time it takes for the
engine to reach normal operating temperature. and shortens the time it takes
the heater
to reach full output. For more information, See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Diesel Engine Heater Output
If you idle your diesel engine for a long time when it’s cold outside, your
heater may blow out cool air. This is normal. When you increase the engine
speed, your heater should blow out warmer air.
If it doesn’t, your coolant
level may be too low. See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index to see how to
check your coolant level.
Rear Window Defogger (Option)
You can tell if your vehicle has this option by looking at the rear window. If
you see lines running across the glass, you have it. These are the wire-like
elements which heat your window.
I NOTICE:
Scraping the inside of your rear window could cut and damage
the defogger.
Your warranty would not cover this damage. And,
don’t put decals there, you might have to scrape them off.
For best results, clear the window of as much snow or ice as possible first.
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When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, consider the following:
Engine coolant will boil at a lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If
you turn your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, your vehicle
may show signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission
in PARK (Pj (or the manual transmission
out
of gear and the parking brake applied) for a few minutes before turning
the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into PARK (P) yet, or in gear
for a manual transmission.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are
in place, release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
Re-apply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and then
shift
to PARK (P), or REVERSE (Rj for a manual transmission.
If you have
a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear-not in NEUTRAL
(N).
Release the regular brakes.
A CAUTION:
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 rofl.
If you have Ieft 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
NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your
shift lever is in
PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear
- not in NEUTRAL (N).
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The coolant level
should be a1 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.
A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very
hot. Don’t touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn’t
covered
by your warranty.
If there seem to be no leak. start the engine again. See if the fan speed
increases when idle speed is doubled
by pushing the accelerator pedal down.
If it doesn’t, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at or above
the COLD mark, add
a SO/SO mixture of c.lea12 water (preferably distilled)
and
a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
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F
6. Start the engine
and let it run
until
you can feel the
upper radiator
hose getting hot.
Watch out for the
engine fan(s).
7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be
lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the
filler neck until the level reaches the base
of the filler neck.
I_
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure if
coolant begins
to flow out of the filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
Be sure the arrows
on the pressure cap line up like this.
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Cooling System - Diesel Engines
When you decide it‘s safe to lift the hood, here’s what you’ll see:
A. Coolant surge tank pressure cap
B. Engine fan(s)
C. Radiator
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 surge 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 A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very
hot. Don’t touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could cause an engine
fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn’t
covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again. See if the fan speed
increases when idle speed
is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal down.
If
it doesn’t, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
I NOTICE:
The diesel engine has a specific coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause your engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at the COLD
mark, add a
50/50 mixture of cleun water (preferably distilled) and a proper
antifreeze at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it. (See
“Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more information about the proper
coolant mix.)
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-
7. Then fill the
coolant surg,e
tank with the
proper
mix. up to
the COLD mark.
8. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it
run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine fan(s).
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant surge tank may be
lower. If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix to the coolant
surge tank until the level reaches
the COLD mark.
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Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather, 0°F (-1 8OC) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater’’ in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay
on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. (See the manufacturer‘s warnings about the use
and disposal of
oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to
the environment. If you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies
of water. Instead. recycle it by taking it to
a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of
your used oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
Engine Oil (Diesel Engines)
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil level 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.
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.
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If the differential is at operating temperature (warm), add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
If the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to raise the level to
1/2 inch
( 12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning gages work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half cleun water (preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification 6038-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts.
You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to “GM
Specification 6038-M.” Use GM Coolant Supplement (Sealer) with a
complete coolant flush and refill. If you use this mixture. you don’t need to
add anything else.
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With plain
water or the wrong mix, your engine could get too hot but
you
wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire
and you or others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
water and
a proper antifreeze.
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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 thc 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 lour timcs a ycar, have your dealer
check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
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 - Gasoline Engine
The coolant reco\wy
tank is located on the
passenger side
at the
rear comer
of the
engine compartment.
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the COLD mark, or
a little higher. When your engine is warm, the level should be up to the
HOT mark, or a little higher.
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