automatic transmission fluid GMC SIERRA 1996 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: GMC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: SIERRA, Model: GMC SIERRA 1996Pages: 404, PDF Size: 21.57 MB
Page 213 of 404

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while
you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each of these is covered
in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
A seven-wire harness is stored under the rear end of
your vehicle. between the frame rails. An electrical
connector
will need to be installed at the trailer end of
the harness, by a qualified electrical technician. For
additional trailer wiring and towing information please
consult your
GM dealer. Securely attach the harness to
the trailer, then tape or strap it to your vehicle’s frame
rail.
Be sure you leave it loose enough so the wiring
won’t bind or break when turning with the trailer, but
not so loose that it drags on the ground. Store the
harness in its original position. Wrap the harness
together and tie
it neatly so it won’t be damaged. If you
tow a trailer, your Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) may not be properly visible from behind.
You should select a trailer with
a CHMSL on it or, if
one is not available, have one installed. See your GM
dealer about how to connect your vehicle’s wiring to
a trailer CHMSL.
4-59
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Page 259 of 404

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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Page 260 of 404

“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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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).
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Page 271 of 404

How to Add Fluid
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid
level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or
in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the handle
down
to lock the dipstick in place. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index.
Add fluid
only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT. (A COLD check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(-0.5 L). Don’t overjill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11 is
not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock
the dipstick in place.
6-21
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Page 321 of 404

Fuse Usage
15 DRL Relay, Fog Lamp Relay
Underhood Fusemelay Center
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23 24 Front and Rear Turn
Signals, Back-up
Lamps, BTSI Solenoid
Radio (Ignition)
4WALNCM, ABS, Cruise Control
Radio (Battery)
PRNDL, Automatic Transmission,
Speedometer, Check Gages Warning Light
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Front Axle, 4WD Indicator Lamp, TP2 Relay
(Gasoline Engine)
A Power Door Lock, Six-Way Power Seat,
Keyless Entry Module
B Power Windows The underhood
fusehelay center is located in the rear
of
the engine compartment near the brake fluid reservoir.
Move the retainer clips for the cover to access the fuse
block.
You can remove fuses with a fuse extractor. The fuse
extractor
is mounted to the interior fuse block. To
remove fuses if
you don’t have a fuse extractor, hold the
end of the fuse between your thumb and index finger
and
pull straight out.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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