flat tire GMC SIERRA 1996 Owner's Manual

When It’s Time for New Tires
Rust or dirt on
a wheel, or on the parts to which
it
is fastened, can make- 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 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. (See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.) One
way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is
to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less
of tread remaining.
Some commercial truck
tires may not have
treadwear indicators.
Its
You need a new tire if any of the following statemen
are true:
0 You’can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber.
0 The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
0 The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
0 The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that ,
can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
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Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt or wheel nut is replaced, check the wheel nut torque
after
100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles ( 160, I 600 and IO 000
km) of driving. For proper torque, see "Wheel Nut
Torque" in the Index.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally wears
faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear more
evenly and last longer
if you rotate the tires periodically.
If you're going to be doing a lot of driving on
high-crown roads,
you can reduce tire wear by adding
5 psi (35 kPa) to the tire pressure in the outer tires. Be
sure to return to the recommended pressures when no
longer driving under those conditions. See "Changing
a
Flat Tire" in the Index for more information.
A CAUTION:
I
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is
badly underinflated, the tire can overheat. An
overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch fire.
You or others could be injured. Be sure
all tires
(including the spare, if any) are properly inflated.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Certificntion/Tire label.
Tlze tires installed
on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number
on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones
with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service
on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design,
the TPC number will be followed by an "MS"
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC
Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
6-53
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Tempera A, B, c
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which
all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
--
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory
to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance,
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if
you notice unusual tire wear
or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need
to be reset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
GM dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
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Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any
of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure
to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
CAUTION:
I
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose. control.
You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for
replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
7
Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt or wheel nut is replaced
on a dual wheel setup, check the wheel
nut torque after
100,
1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000 km)
of driving. For proper torque, see “Wheel Nut Torque”
in
the Index.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
6-56
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Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
I IMPORTANT: I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This section covers the maintenance required for your
vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, depe.ndability and emission control performance.
7- 1
Protection
Plan
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle
in good working condition. but also helps the
environment.
All 1-ecommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong
tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions fr6m your vehicle. To help protect our
environlnent, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified
to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown
in Part D.
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160,1600 and 10 000 km)
For vehicles with dual wheels, check dual wheel nut
torque. For proper torque, see “Wheel Nut Torque” in
the Index.
At Each Fuel Fill
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary.
See “Engine Oil”
in the Index for further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix
if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
A Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-42
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Roadside Assistance
GMC Truck’s Roadside Assistance provides stranded
owners with over-the-phone roadside repairs, location
of the nearest
GMC Truck dealer or the following
special services:
Flat Tire Chulzge: Installation of spare tire will be
covered at no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement
of tire).
Fuel Deliwry: Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station (up to $4.00) will
be covered.
Junzp Stnrt: No-start situations which require a battery
jump start will be covered at
no charge.
Lock Out: Replacement keys or locksmith service will
be covered at no charge if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery
of the replacement key will
be covered at no charge within 10 miles (16 km).
Elnergemy Towing Service: Towing to the nearest
GMC Truck dealer for warranty related disablements
will
be covered.
nip Rouring: Availability of customized trip routings
through
GMC Truck Roadside Assistance. This deluxe
computerized trip routing service
will provide highlighted
map routing, scenic or fastest route,
a listing of GMC
Truck dealers along the way, and a variety of other travel
related services.
fiip hzterruptiorz: GMC Truck Roadside Assistance will
provide reimbursement for reasonable trip interruption
expenses such as meals and lodging (up to
$500) directly
associated with
a warranty-related disablement which
requires overnight accommodations.
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Section 9 Index
I
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-53
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
Adding Equipment
............................ 1 -26
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-24
How
it Works ................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1-22, 2-59
Servicing ................................... 1-26
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-16
Air Cleaner Filter Restriction Indicator Check
........ 7-43
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-76
Alignment and Balance, Tire
...................... 6-55
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
...................... 6-64
Antenna
...................................... 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-26
Anti-Lock
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-62, 4-6
I
Appearance Care ............................... 6-58
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-66
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Armrest Storage Compartment
.................... 2-51
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-52
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-23
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Automatic Transmission
......................... 2-11
Check
...................................... 7-43
Fluid
....................................... 6-19
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-45
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-11
Operation ................................... 2-13
Axle. Front .................................... 6-26
Axle. Locking Rear
............................. 2-21
Axle. Rear .................................... 6-24
Battery
...................................... 6-37
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-6
Warnings
................................ 5-2. 5-4
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-7
9-1
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Engine ................................... 6.8. 6.10
Coolant
..................................... 6-26
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 12
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-42
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-62
Cooling System Capacity
....................... 6-76
Exhaust
..................................... 2-30
Fuse Blocks
............................ 6.69. 6.71
Identification
................................ 6-67
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-42
Overheating
................................. 5- 10
Running While Parked ......................... 2-30
Specifications
................................ 6-74
StartingYour
................................ 2-11
Underhood Fusemelay Center
................... 6-7 I
Engine Oil .................................... 6- 12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-15
Checking
................................... 6-12
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-65
Used
....................................... 6-16
Whentochange
.............................. 6-15
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-30
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-59
Fan Control. Climate Control System
............ 3.1. 3.2
Fender Marker Lamp Bulb Replacement
............. 6-42
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-16
Finish Care
.................................... 6-63 Finish Damage
................................. 6-64
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-21
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-76
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-48
FogLamps
.................................... 2-41
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Four-wheel Drive
......................... 2-21. 6-25
French Language Manual
11
FrontAxle .................................... 6-26
Front Axle Locking Feature
....................... 2-21
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
..... 6.40. 6.41
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-68
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Tankcapacity
............................... 6-76
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-69
Fusible Links
.................................. 6-69
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-62
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-65
Fuel
....................................... 2-68
Tachometer
.................................. 2-57
Voltmeter
................................... 2-60
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-46
GAWR
....................................... 4-42
Speedometer
................................. 2-57
9-4 ..
I
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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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