transmission GMC SIERRA 1995 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: GMC, Model Year: 1995, Model line: SIERRA, Model: GMC SIERRA 1995Pages: 488, PDF Size: 26.01 MB
Page 71 of 488

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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Page 73 of 488

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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Page 74 of 488

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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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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Page 81 of 488

NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the cord as
it was before to keep
it away from moving engine parts. If you
don’t,
it could be damaged.
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.
Inste.ad of trying
to list everything here, we ask that you contact your GM
dealer in the area where you‘ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, it now features
an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument cluster. This
display must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable
of being moved
out of the
PARK (P) position. This means that if your key is in the OFF
position, but not locked, there will be a small current drain on your battery
which could discharge your battery over
a period of time. If you have a need
to leave your key
in the ignition in the OFF position for an extended period
for any reason,
it is recommended that you disconnect the battery cable
from the battery to prevent discharging your battery.
PARK (P) -This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use
when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
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Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock. With the ignition in
the RUN position, you must fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P).
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you continue pressing the
brake pedal.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you still
cannot shift the shift lever out of
PARK (P), see ”Shifting Out of PARK (P)”
later in this section.
REVERSE (R) - Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward
could damage your transmission. Shift to REVERSE
(R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand
without damaging your transmission, see
“If You‘re Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow”
in the Index.
a NEUTRAL (N) - In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with
the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N)
only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
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A CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (f) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is
“racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people or objects. Don’t
shift out of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is
racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn’t covered by
your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a) - This position is for normal
driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
- Going about 35 mph (56 kdh) or more, push the accelerator all
0 should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving. Select THIRD
GEAR
(3) when operating the vehicle under any of these
conditions.
THIRD GEAR (3) - This is like 63, but you never go into Overdrive.
You should use
THIRD GEAR (3) when towing a trailer. carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or
for off-road driving.
0 SECOND GEAR (2) - This position gives you more power but lower
fuel economy. You can use
SECOND GEAR (2) on hills. It can help
control
your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want
to use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND GEAR (2), the transmission will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when you are trying
to start your vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
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FIRST GEAR (1) - This position gives you even more power (but
lower
fuel economy) than SECOND GEAR (2). You can use it on very
steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in FIRST
GEAR (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission won’t
shift into FIRST GEAR
(1) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to drive. This might
happen if you were stuck in very deep sand
or mud or were up
against a solid object.
You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your vehicle there
with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage
the transmission.
Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold
your vehicle in position on a hill.
Five-Spa-ld Manual Transmission (With Low
Gear)
If you have a five
speed manual
transmission with
low
gear (RPO MW3), this
is your shift pattern.
Here’s how to operate
your transmission:
LOW GEAR (1) is
intended only for
heavy loads and is
not
recommended for
normal driving.
LOW GEAR (1) - Press the clutch pedal and shift into LOW GEAR
(1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal. Shift into
LOW GEAR (1) only when the vehicle speed is below
5 mph (8 km/h). If you try to shift into LOW GEAR (I ) at excessive
vehicle speeds, the shift lever
will not move into the LOW GEAR (1)
position until vehicle speed is reduced.
FIRST GEAR (2) - Press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST
GEAR (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
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