towing GMC SIERRA 1996 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: GMC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: SIERRA, Model: GMC SIERRA 1996Pages: 404, PDF Size: 21.57 MB
Page 269 of 404

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check a1 C’ -ge
A good time to check your auromarlc transmission fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle’s GVWR is over 8,600 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.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If your vehicle’s GVWR is not over 8,600 and you do
not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the
fluid and filter
do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’
in the Index.
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 on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
i 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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93°C).
6-19
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Page 274 of 404

Rear Axle
When to Chc d 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. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
C3 (3500 HD) Trucks Equipped with
Dana Rear
Axle
Additional rear axle scheduled maintenance is required
on 3500 HD models equipped with Dana rear axles
when they are driven under the following conditions:
Extreme loading (at or near GVWR) or trailer
towing, and:
0 Operation above 45 mph (70 km/h) for extended
periods
of time
Vehicles used
in any of these conditions require the
rear axle lubricant be changed every 30,000 miles
(SO 000 km). Fluid capacity is 4.12 quarts (3.9 L).
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
6-24
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Page 332 of 404

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
T The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that
the failure to perform this maintenance item will
not
nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability
prior
to the completion of the vehicle‘s useful life.
We, however, urge that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at the indicated
intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, kingpin bushings,
steering linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer
case shift linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear
driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines
and brake pedal springs. Ball joints and kingpin
bushings should not be lubricated unless their
temperature is 10°F
(- 12°C) or higher, or they
could be damaged.
:f: :1:
0
0
0
e
Drive axle service:
Locking Differential
-- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine
oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
I5,OOO miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road
use.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring extreme
overload/trailer towing conditions and high-speed
(above
45 mph or 70 kmh) conditions for extended
periods
of time must have the drive axle fluid changed
evey
30,000 miles (50 000 km). See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants’’
in this section.
7-6
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Page 342 of 404

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote #
(or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking. w
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
50,000 Miles (83 000 k
0 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.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
7-16
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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 355 of 404

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
j- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that
the failure
to perform this maintenance item will not
nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability
prior
to the completion of the vehicle’s useful life.
We, however, urge that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at
the indicated
intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, kingpin bushings,
steering linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer
case shift linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear
driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines
and brake pedal springs. Ball joints and kingpin
bushings should not be lubricated unless their
temperature is
10°F (- 12°C) or higher, or they
could be damaged.
‘k‘k Drive axle service:
a
e
e
a
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine
oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed.
If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles
(25 000.km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every engine oil change. If driving
in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and
refill every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road use.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring extreme
overloadtrailer towing conditions and high-speed
(above
45 mph or 70 kmh) conditions for extended
periods
of time must have the drive axle fluid changed
every
30,000 miles (50 000 km). See ”Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in this section.
I
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Page 360 of 404

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
45,000 Miles (75 000 km) (Continued)
0 If your engine has a thermostatically
controlled cooling fan, inspect all hoses
and ducts for proper hook-up (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first). Be sure
the
valve works properly. This is a Noise
Emission Control Service. Applicable only to
vehicles sold in the United States.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY I
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 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.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
7-34
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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 384 of 404

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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Page 393 of 404

Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-7
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic
.......................... 6-23
Comfort Controls
................................ 3- I
Compact Disc Care ............................. 3-24
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3.15. 3.17
Compass. Rearview Mirror
with ................... 2-44
Console Storage
................................ 2-49
Control of
a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... 2-46
Coolant
....................................... 6-26
Heater. Engine
............................... 2- 12
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-14
Cooling System
................................ 5- 12
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-36
Cupholders
.................................... 2-49
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- I
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8- I
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-3
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-64
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-64
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-40
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
............ 2-67
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety ......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving ............................... 4- I
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-6
Defog ing and Defrosting
......................... 3-5
Dolby B Noise Reduction 3- I4 8 .......................
Dome Lamps .................................. 2-42
Door Locks
....................................... 2-4
Storagepocket
............................... 2-51
Third
........................................ 2-3
Downshifting
.................................. 2-19
Driver Position ................................. 1-13
Driving
City
........................................ 4-33
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-34
Guidelines
.................................. 4-13
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-40
IntheRain
.................................. 4-30
Night
...................................... 4-28
Off-Road
................................... 4-13
OnCurves
................................... 4-8
On Grades While Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-57
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-36
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-38
Throughwater
............................... 4-32
WetRoads
.................................. 4-30
Winter
...................................... 4-38
With a Trailer
................................ 4-55
Drunken Driving ................................ 4-2
Easy Entry Seat
................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding ........... 2.12. 3.23. 6-68
Electrical System
............................... 6-68
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror .......... 2-44
9-3
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