trailer GMC SIERRA 1996 Owners Manual

Parking at Night New Vehicle “Break-In”
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put
them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove
box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver‘s.
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it
will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
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0
0
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the
first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
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PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position
to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move
easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave
your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground,
always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
I
CAUTION: (Continued)
-
if’ you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll -- even if your shift lever
is in PARK
(P) -- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear, two-wheel high
(2H) or four-wheel
high
(4H) or four-wheel low (4L) -- not in
NEUTRAL
(N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index. If you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index.
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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
0 Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
accelerator all the way down.
0 Going about 35 mph (56 kdhj or more, push the
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(GO) can be used when
towing a trailer, carrying
a heavy load or driving on
steep hills. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD
(3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts
too often.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however
it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (68).
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use
SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2), the transmission
will drive in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to
the rear wheels when
you are
trying to start your vehicle
from a stop on slippery
road surfaces.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put
in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into first
gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were
up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes
or shift into
PARK
(P) to hold your vehicle in position
on a hill.
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NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat.
You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle. Always check to be
sure your parking brake is fully released before
you drive.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what
to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
If you have a 3500 HD model, it is recommended that
the propshaft mounted parking brake be burnished as
part of the new vehicle break-in. The parking brake will
work best after it has been burnished following these
instructions.
Make
10 stops, using the parking brake foot pedal, from
20 mph (32 km/h) about 2 1/2 miles (4 km) apart. In
between stops, drive the vehicle at 20 mph (32 km/h).
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Trawrission
Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move,
even when you’re on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you have four-wheel
drive and your transfer case is in NEUTRAL
(N)?
your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your shift
lever
is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case
is in
a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N). If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’
in the Index.
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Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE (R), turn
off the engine, and
firmly apply the parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure your transfer case
is in
a drive gear. Your vehicle could roll if it isn’t.
If you are parking
on a hill, or if you are pulling a
trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
f
A CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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CAUTION:
.*. .
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on
fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer case is
in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to roll,
even
if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the
transfer case is
in a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N).
Always set your parking brake. Follow the proper steps
, See “Shifting Into to be sure your vehicle won’t move
PARK
(P)“ in the Index.
If you‘re pulling a trailer. see “Tow
the Index. ing
a Trailer“
in
Windows
Manual Windows
Turn the hand crank on each door to raise or lower
manual windows.
Power Windows
If you have the optional
power windows, the
controls are
on each of
the side doors.
The driver’s door has a
switch for the passenger
windows as well. Your
power windows will
work when the ignition
has been turned to
ACCESSORY or
RUN.
Press the rear of the switch with the power window
symbol on
it to lower the window.
Press the front of the switch with the power window
symbol on
it to raise the window.
The driver’s window also
has an express down feature
that allows the window to lower without holding the
switch. Press and hold the side
of the window switch
marked AUTO for one second to activate the express
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If the Light Is Flashing If the Light Is On Steady
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains
on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains
on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following.
If the light is still flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle
to your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you just put fuel
into your vehicle?
If so7 reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This will
allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few
driving trips should turn the light off.
Did
you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will
usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make
sure to install the fuel cap properly. it
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
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Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for
your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with
the trailer attached,
so that you won’t go over the GVWR or GAM.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight
of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see “Trailer Towing” in the Index.
Camper Wiring Harness (Option)
A five-wire harness is stored in the front stake pocket on
the driver’s side of the bed. The harness has
no
connector and should be wired by a qualified electrical
technician.
It must be routed out. of your vehicle and
securely attached
so that it won’t be pulled or rubbed
while you’re using it. Store the harness in it’s original
position. Wrap the harness together and tie
it neatly so it
won’t be damaged.
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners may
consider having the pickup box removed and
a
commercial or recreational body installed. Before you
do so, first contact the GM Zone Office for your area for
information on such conversions specific to this vehicle. (See the
“Warranty and Owner Assistance” booklet for
Zone Office.) Owners should be aware that, as
manufactured, there are differences between
a chassis
cab and a pickup with
the box removed which may
affect vehicle
safety. The components necessary to adapt
a pickup to permit its safe use with a specialized body
should be installed by a body builder in accordance with
the information available from the Zone Office.
Towing a Trail-r
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer
is too heavy, the
brakes may not
work well -- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your
GM dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
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NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your
GM dealer
for-important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing. If yours
was built with trailering options, as many are, it’s ready
for heavier trailers. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these
are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull
a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
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There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure-
your rig will be lega1,not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh
4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg) or less. You should
always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh
more than
4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg). You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all‘during the first
500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then; during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 ktn/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
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0 If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow
in OVERDRIVE
(@). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(eg, under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions). If
you have a manual transmission and you are towing
a trailer, it’s better
not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just
drive in FOURTH
(4) gear (or, as you need to, a
lower gear).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight
of the trailer,
the weight
of the trailer tongue
and the weight
on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how
you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle. Use
one
of the following charts to determine how much
your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle model
and options.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and
one passenger are in the tow vehicle and it
has all the required trailering equipment. The weight
of
additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Above
the 2,000 lbs. (908 kg) trailer rating, the engine
oil cooler is required
on C/K- 1500 models with gas
engines and
C/K-2500 models with gas engines and
3.73 (or lower) axle ratio.
Above
the 4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg) trailer rating,
heavy-duty or gas shock absorbers are required
on
C- 1500 models, and heavy-duty shock absorbers
or
the off-road chassis package are required on
K-1500 models.
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