radiator GMC SIERRA 1996 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: GMC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: SIERRA, Model: GMC SIERRA 1996Pages: 404, PDF Size: 21.57 MB
Page 277 of 404

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.
f 27
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Page 278 of 404

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.
6-28
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Page 279 of 404

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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Page 280 of 404

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.
6-30
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Page 282 of 404

Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
e
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s
very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
6-32
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Page 289 of 404

Composite Headlampc
1. Remove the two
screws at the top
of
the radiator support.
2. Pull the headlamp lens assembly out.
3. Unplug the electrical connector.
4. Turn the bulb
counterclockwise and
remove
it.
5. Put the new bulb in the lens assembly and turn it to
the right
until it is tight.
6. Plug in the electrical connector.
7. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle.
Install and tighten the two screws.
I
- 6-39
I
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Page 354 of 404

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines 1
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or
every
60 months since last service, whichever
occurs
first). See "Engine. Coolant" in the
Index for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck.
Pressure test cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
Replace spark plugs. An Emission Contd Service.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid
and filter
if the vehicle's GVWR is over
8600 Ibs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one
or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90" F
(32 * C) or higher.
An Emission Control Service.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If' .e you c/o rzot LLW your vehicle under crny of
these corzciitiorzs, the.fluid and filter do not
require chcrnging.
Manual transmission fluid doesn't require change.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation
(Pcv) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL
MILEAGE
7-28
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Page 367 of 404

1 Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or
every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in
the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Con.tro1 Service. 3-
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
Change automatic transmission fluid
and filter
if the vehicle’s GVWR is over
8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90” F
(32°C) or higher.
An Emission Control Service.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
vyou do not ILY~ your- vehicle under my uf
these c*orlditions, the fluid and filter do not
require chwgirzg.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation
(Pcv) valve. An Enlission Control Service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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Page 372 of 404

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall).
You should let your GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures
to perform these services may be
found
in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs
of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well
as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause
a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace
as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
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Page 395 of 404

Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2- 13
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission .......... 2- 17. 2- 18
GloveBox .................................... 2-46
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-42
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-42
Guide en FranCais
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-42
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5- 1
Headlamps .................................... 2-39
Bulb Replacement
....................... 6.38. 6.39
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-34
OnReminder
................................ 2-39
Wiring
..................................... 6-68
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-34
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-36
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-36
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-54
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-6
Release
...................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-32
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................... 6-23
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-32 Ignition
Positions
............................... 2-9
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-42
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-49
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-43
Inspections
.................................... 7-46
Brakesystem
................................ 7-47
Drive Axle
.................................. 7-47
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-46
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-46
Steering
.................................... 7-46
Suspension
.................................. 7-46
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-46
Transfer Case (Four-wheel Drive)
............... 7-47
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-54
Cleaning
.................................... 6-61
Cluster
..................................... 2-56
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-69
Intensity Control
............................. 2-42
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-42
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-22
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key
Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-43
Key Release Button ............................. 2- IO
Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-5
Keys .......................................... 2-1
9'
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