engine GMC SIERRA 1996 Owners Manual

Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil
is changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your GM dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get
a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
II
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle
is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.
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Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often
to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
"Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole.
you'll
need to add some lubricant.
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 (1 2 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 cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (1 66 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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.
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A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your vehicle
will:
Give freezing prorecrlon down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result.
In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. use
a mixture
of one-half dum wwter (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL” (orange-colored.
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M. which
won‘t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 363462 1 ) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture.
you don’t need to add anything else.
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
50150 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) 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.
If you have to add coolant more than four times 8 year,
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.
Checking Coolant
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see "Clwcking
Coolant"
in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
d
The coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger
side at the rear corner of the engine compartment.
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 sho~~ld be up to the HOT mark, or a
little higher.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix ut tho
cYN-hnt Ix~c'olY!l'\: tmk.
A CAUTION:
\---- -
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
/rl CAUTION:
r -4
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
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Radiator Pressure Cap
(Gasoline Engine)
The radiator pressure cap must be tightly installed with
the arrows on the cap lined LIP with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant
loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows
on the
cap line up with the overflow tube on the
radiator filler neck.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
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Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine cotnparttnent is cool, unscrew the cap
and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again
and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should he at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
to the mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to
use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating
your vehicle in an area where the tetnperature
may
fill1 below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir
is here. It is filled
I with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are
only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that
the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put
in, the fluid level
goes back
up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your
brakes
won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding
brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have
too much
fluid
when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
A CAUTION0
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
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NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example,.just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine
oil,
in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
fluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it
off immediately. See &‘Appearance Care”
in
the Index.
Brake Wear
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).
A’ CAUTION:
I
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
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Battery
Every new vehicle has 21 Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have
to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This
will help keep your battery from
runnine down.
I A CAUTION:
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ”Theft-De-terrent
Feature”
in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lamps
are
off and the engine isn’t running. See “Replacement
Bulbs”
in the Index for the proper types of bulbs to use.
Halogen Bulbs
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without getting hurt.
-A i
F-
Halogen bulbs have prc-arized gas inside and
can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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