maintenance GMC SIERRA 1995 Owners Manual

Table of Contents
Introduction - How to Use this Manual
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety
and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.
Section 1 - Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts
properly.
It also explains the air ba, 0 s -y stem.
Section 2 - Features & Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Section 3 - Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort
controls and how to operate your audio system.
Section 4 - Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and
how to drive under different conditions.
Section 5 - Problems on the Road
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while
driving, such
as a flat tire or engine overheating. etc.
Section 6 - Service & Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running
properly and looking good.
Section 7 - Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Section 8 - Customer Assistance Information
L get service publications. It also gives you information on
This
section tells you how to contact
GM for assistance and how to
“Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-4.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this
manual. You can use
it to quickly find something you want to read.
i
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Introduction
1995 GMC Truck Sierra Owner’s Manual
Welcome
This manual was prepared to acquaint you with the operation and
maintenance of your
1995 GMC Truck Sierra and to provide important
safety information. There is also a GMC Truck Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information booklet. In some vehicles, there can be information
manuals from other manufacturers like body builders or special equipment
companies. We urge you to review all these publications carefully. This will
help
you enjoy safe and trouble-free operation of your vehicle.
When it comes to service, keep
in mind that your GMC Truck dealer knows
your vehicle best and is interested
in your complete satisfxtion. Your dealer
invites you to return for all of your service needs both during and after the
warranty period.
Remember, if you have
a concern and need help handling it to your
satisfaction, see the procedure
in the GMC Truck Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information booklet.
Thanks for choosing a GMC Truck product. We value you
as a member of
the GMC Truck family. We want
to assure you of our continuing interest in
your pleasure and satisfaction with your vehicle.
GMC Truck Division
General Motors Corporation Pontiac, Michigan
@Copyright
1994 General Motors Corporation, GMC Truck Division.
All Rights Reserved
Second Edition
11 ..
Printed in U.S.A.
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NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag, it may not work\

properly. You may have to replace the air bag module.
Do not
open or break the air bag cover.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
The air bag affects how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of
the air bag system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the
system to inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
GM
dealer and the 1995 GM Service Manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the air bag system. To purchase
a service manual, see
”Service Publications”
in the Index. The air bag system does not need
regular maintenance.
A CAUTION:
For up to 2 minutes after the ignition key is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an air bag can still inflate during
improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an air
bag when it inflates.
Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape, or
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag system.
Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the
person performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the front of my vehicle,
will it keep the air bag from working properly?
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is attached to your vehicle
so that the vehicle‘s basic structure isn’t changed. it‘s not likely to keep
the air bags from working properly
in a crash.
Q: What if I add a wow plow? Will it keep the air bag from working
properly?
A: We’ve designed our air bag systems to work properly under a wide
range
of conditions. including snow plowing with vehicles equipped
with the optional Snow Plow Prep Package
(RPO VYU). But don’t
change or defeat the snow plow’s “tripping mechanism.”
If you do, it
can damage your snow plow and your vehicle, and it may cause an air
bag inflation.
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Driving Guidelines
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-wheel Drive
Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel drive.
Also, see “Anti-Lock Brakes”
in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive, you shouldn’t drive off-road
unless you’re
on a level, solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some definite hazards.
The greatest of these
is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the great North American road system
behind. Traffic lanes aren’t marked. Curves aren’t banked. There are no
road signs. Surfaces can
be slippery. rough, uphill or downhill. In short,
you’ve gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s why it’s very
important that
you read this guide. You’ll find many driving tips and
suggestions. These will help make your off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For example, be sure to have
all necessary maintenance and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields
(if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure you read
all the information about your four-wheel drive vehicle in this manual.
Is
there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up
where they should be? What are
the local laws that apply to off-roading
where you’ll be driving?
If you don’t know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be
on someone’s private land? If
so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about how to load your
vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your
rear axle. Put heavier items as far forward
as you can.
doesn’t toss things around.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain
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After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the underbody, chassis or
under the hood. These accumulations can be
a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand, have the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the body
structure, steering, suspension. wheels, tires, and exhaust system for
damage.
Also, check the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle
will require more frequent service due to off-road use. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely
to be impaired - by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems,
or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
0 Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
behind
you.
space
between you and other vehicles.
a Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light
up only
so much road ahead.
0 In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
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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
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 transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, 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 Lighting Systems Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
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You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the
date
of any service work you perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the
Index.
A CAUTION:
You can be injured if you try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it,
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, and the
proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt
any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and other fasteners,
“English” and “metric” fasteners can be easily confused. If
you use the wrong fasteners, parts can later break or fall
off.
You could be hurt.
NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about it, your vehicle could be damaged.
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel
System”
in this Section. For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications ASTM D48
14 in the United States and CGSB 3.5-92 in
Canada. These fuels should have the proper additives, so you should not
have to add anything
to the fuel.
In the United States and Canada, it’s easy to be sure
you get the right kind
of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see UNLEADED right on the pump. And
only unleaded nozzles will
fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87. If the octane is less than 87, you
may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can
damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you still hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service. But don’t worry
if you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the
heavy, constant knock that means you have a problem.
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A CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary engine fan
under the hood can start up and injure you even when the
engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from
any underhood electric fan.
A CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire.
These include liquids like gasoline or diesel fuel, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield washer and other fluids, and plastic
or
rubber. You or others could be burned. Be careful not to drop or
spill things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all filler caps are on properly. Pull down
the
hood and close it firmly.
Cleaning Your Diesel Engine
I NOTICE:
If you spray or pour water or any other liquid on your engine
when it is warm or hot, or when it
is running, you could cause
serious damage to it.
If you ever clean the engine, clean it only
when it is cold.
Noise Control System
The following information relates to compliance with Federal noise
emission standards for vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
of more than 10,000 pounds (4 536 kilograms). The Maintenance
Schedule booklet provides information on maintaining
the noise control
system to minimize degradation of the noise emission control system during
the life of your vehicle. The noise control system warranty is given in your
Warranty booklet.
These standards apply only
to vehicles sold in the United States.
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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:
0 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.
0 Removal of fan shroud (if so equipped).
Air Intake:
0 Removal of air cleaner silencer.
Reversing air cleaner cover.
Exhaust:
0 Removal of muffler and/or resonator.
0 Removal of exhaust pipes and exhaust pipe clamps.
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Air Cleaner
To avoid the possibility of un-filtered air being drawn into the engine, make
sure the air cleaner cover
is on straight and the wing nuts are properly
tightened. If there
is an arrow on the air cleaner cover, it should point to the
front of the engine.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace
the air
filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it
stops flame if the engjne backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with it
off,
and be careful working on the engine with the air cleaner off.
I NOTICE: I
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine
fire. And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
To remove the air cleaner filter on a gasoline engine or a 6.5 liter naturally
aspirated diesel engine, turn the wing nuts to the left. Remove the cover and
change
the filter.
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