service GMC SIERRA 1996 Owners Manual

The 1996 GMC Sierra Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts\
properly. It also explains the “SIR” system.
Features and Controls .................................................................. 2-1
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about
the road and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to do if you have
a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated
engine, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and \
what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact
GMC Truck for assistance and how to get service and owner
publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects’’ on page 8-8.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
Service and Appearance Care ............................................................ 6-1
MaintenanceSchedule......... ......................................................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
GMC TRUCK, the GMC TRUCK Emblem and
the name SIERRA are registered trademarks
of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at
the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for GMC Truck
Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual
in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need
it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use
it.
Litho in U.S.A.
X9604 B First Edition
‘--) We support voluntary
technician certification.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriCtaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en franGais chez
votre concessionaire
ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T IC7
‘Copyright General Motors Corporation 1995
All Rights Reserved
ii
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1 a CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with
a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as
soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening
a window or door.
0 The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it
inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there
to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include the air bag module and
possibly other parts.
The service manual for your
vehicle covers
the need to replace other parts.
0
0
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors are activated and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let
only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag,
it may not work properly. You may have to
replace the air bag module.
Do not open or break
the air bag cover.
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I
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
1 The air bag affects how your vehicle should be serviced.
There
are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want
the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To
purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
For up to two minutes after the ignition key
is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape,
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the
air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
~~ ~~ ~~
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the
front
of my vehicle, will it keep the air bag from
working properly?
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is
attached to your vehicle
so that the vehicle’s basic
structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the
.I air bags from wor@ng properly in a crash.
What if
I add a snow plow? Will it keep the air
bag from working properly?
A: We’ve designed our air bag systems to work
properly under a wide range of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles equipped
with the optional Snow Plow Prep Package
(RPO VYU). But don’t change or defeat the
snow plow’s “tripping mechanism.” If you do,
it
can damage your snow plow and your vehicle,
and it may cause an air bag inflation.
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Power Door Locks (Option)
Press the bottom of the
power door lock switch,
marked
LOCK, on either
front door to lock
all the
doors at once. Press the
ribbed side of the switch to
unlock
all the doors at once.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close
the door.
Keyless Entry System (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors from up to
30 feet (9 111) away using the key
chain transmitter supplied with your vehicle. Your
Keyless Entry System operates
on a radio
frequency subject
to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
(1 ) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Should interference to
this system occur, try this:
0 Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions
on battery
replacement.
vehicle. This product has
a maximum range.
0 Check the distance. You may be too far from your
0 Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal.
See your GM dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Changes or modifications
to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use
this equipment.
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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is
all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while
you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
Key Release Button
The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition
of manual transmission
vehicles unless the key
release button
is used.
To remove the key on manual transmission vehicles,
turn the key to the
OFF position, then press the button
and
turn the key to the LOCK position. Do not hold the
button
in while turning the key to OFF. Keeping your
finger on the button,
pull the key straight out.
On automatic transmission vehicles, turn the key to
LOCK and
pull it straight out.
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4HI: This setting engages your front axle to help
drive your vehicle.
Use 4HI when you need extra
traction, such
as on snowy or icy roads, or in most
off-road situations.
4LO: This setting also engages your front axle to give
you extra traction. You may never need 4LO. It sends
the maximum power
to all four wheels. You might
choose 4LO
if you were driving off-road in sand, mud
or deep snow and climbing
or descending steep hills.
Indicator lights
in the switches show you which setting
you are in. The indicator lights will come on briefly
when you turn
on the ignition and one will stay on.
If the lights do not come
on, you should take your
vehicle
in for service. An indicator light will flash
while shifting.
It will remain illuminated when the
shift is completed.
Shifting from 2HI to 4HI
Press and release the 4HI switch. This can be done at
any speed, and the front axle will lock automatically.
Shifting from 4HI to 2HI
Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be done at
any speed, and
the front axle will unlock automatically.
Shifting from 2H1 or 4HI to 4LO
To shift from 2HI or 4HI to 4L0, the vehicle must
be stopped or moving less than
3 mph (4.8 kmh) with
the transmission in NEUTRAL
(N). The preferred
method for shifting
into 4LO is to have your vehicle
moving
1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release
the 4LO switch. You must wait for the 4LO indicator
light to stop flashing and remain illuminated before
shifting
your transmission into gear.
If the 4LO switch
is pressed when your vehicle is in
gear and/or moving, the 4LO indicator light
will flash
for 30 seconds and not complete the shift unless your
vehicle
is moving slower than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and the
transmission is
in NEUTRAL (N).
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Instrument Panel Cluster
CHECK GAGES
SERVICE ENGINE SOON ANTI
LOCK
TRIP loo 0 0 oolol 1 APPLY TO SHIFT FROM PARK
United
States version shown, Canada similar.
Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, about how much fuel you have and many other things you'll need to
know to drive safely
and economically.
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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag module,
the wiring and the diagnostic module. For more
information
on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition
to RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
Charging System Indicator Light
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. This
light should come
on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, before starting the
engine, as
a check to show
you it is working.
After the engine starts,
the light should go out. If it stays
on or comes on while
you are driving, you may have a
problem with your charging system. It could indicate a
problem with the alternator drive belt,
or some other
charging system problem. Have
it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If
you must drive a short distance with this light on, it
helps to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio
and air conditioner.
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Voltmeter
I When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
in the RUN position, this
gage shows your battery’s
9 19 state of charge in DC volts.
n
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range. Readings
in the low warning zone
may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating
in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition
is normal since the
charging system
is not able to provide full power at
engine idle.
As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow
the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time
with the reading in
either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings
in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem
in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced
as soon as possible.
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