oil GMC SIERRA 1996 User Guide

Cooling System -- Gasoline Engines
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tdnk
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Engine Fan(s)
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 recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else
until it cools down.
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NOTICE:
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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
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 ciecu? wter (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL”
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery tank.
(See (‘Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information.)
I 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
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
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4. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
flat tire.
5. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel. Rust or dirt on the
wheel, or on the parts to
which
it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after
a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change
a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire
brush
later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
I A CAUTIO^:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall
off, causing a serious accident.
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Fuels in Fo ign Countries -- Gasoline
Engines
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper
fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended
in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use
of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can
also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American
Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L 1 H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
The fuel cap is behind a
hinged door on the left side
of your vehicle.
On a chassis-cab model, refuel the front
tank first, or in
instances when only a partial fuel fill is desired.
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Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfxes as soon
as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When you put the cap back
on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been
left off or improperly installed. This would
allow
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
h
I ! CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
engine fan under the hood can start up and
hjure you even when the engine
is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
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.
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A. Battery
B. Air Cleaner
C. Radiator Cap
D. Coolant Recovery Tmk
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
E Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
H. Fan
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Oil Fill
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
M. FuseIRelay Center
N. Storage Compartment
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“VORTEC” 7400 Engine
I
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Air Cleaner
D. Radiator Cap
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
E Engine Oil Dipstick K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick L. Storage Compartment
H. Engine Oil Fill M. Windshield Washer
I. Fan Fluid
Reservoir
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Ne Fuse/RelaY Center
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Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine Oil
(Diesel Engine)” in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil 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.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then
push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
The engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring handle and is
located on the passenger side
of the engine.
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When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you'll need
to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see "Capacities and Specifications"
in the Index
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap
for the 4.3L, S.OL and the
S.7L engine is located on
the driver's side engine
valve cover.
The engine oil
fill cap for the 7.4L engine is located at
the front
of the engine.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
hack in when you're through.
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What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the
oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front of
the oil container.
If you have your oil changed for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown
in the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS ~~ . . - . . -.
FOR BEST FUEL E Y AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
~ ~~~ ~ ~
SAE VISCOSITY Gnnvr ulL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
C
I +3*
+ 27
i SAE SW-30
’I PREFERRED
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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