overheating GMC SIERRA 1997 Owners Manual

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI -
LOCK
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, or comes
on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If
the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is
also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See
“Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
Ill This gage shows the engine
1
*\\I‘
00
%,
0
260
coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator
of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210°F
(lOO°C) or less. If you are pulling a
load or going up hills, it is normal for
the temperature to
fluctuate and approach the
260°F (125°C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F ( 125 “C) mark, it indicates that
the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down,
you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating. If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow
in
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a). You
may want to
shift the transmission to THIRD
(3) or, if necessary, a
lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(e.g., 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).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If
you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in
PARK (P) (or the
manual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the engine
off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
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Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-3
5-3
5-8
5-1 1
Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engine) Cooling
System
-- Gasoline Engines
Engine Fan Noise
If a Tire
Goes Flat
Changing
a Flat Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow
5- 13
5-2 1
5-2 1
5-22
5-34
5-11
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Rear Towing
I NOTICE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual or
electric shift transfer
case, a towing dolly must be
used under the front wheels or vehicldpowertrain
damage
will occur.
NOTICE:
Towing pickup models from the rear while loaded
with heavy cargo may cause the frame side rails
to flex sufficiently
to allow the pickup box to
contact the cab and could cause damage to the
cab and/or box.
Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engine)
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
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If the differential is at operating temperature (warm),
add enough lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
If the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to raise
the level to 1/2 inch (12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
new DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or
150,000 miles (240
000 km), whichever occurs first,
if
you add only DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your vehicle will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (1 29°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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Radiator Pressure Cap
(Gasoline Engine)
The radiator pressure cap must be tightly installed with
the arrows
on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
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Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your
GM Warranty booklet for details.
-
A CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause
overheating
as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
0 Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
0 Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread
is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be
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Electrical System ............................... 6-70
Engine
.................................. 6-10. 6-12
Electrochromic
Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-48
Coolant
..................................... 6-29
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 14
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-45
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-72
Cooling System Capacity
....................... 6-78
Exhaust
..................................... 2-32
FuseBlocks
............................ 6-71, 6-73
Identification
................................ 6-69
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-45
Overheating
................................. 5-11
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-76
StartingYour
................................ 2-13
Underhood Fuse/Relay Center
................... 6-73
Engineoil
.................................... 6-15
Adding
..................................... 6-15
Additives
................................... 6-18
Checking
................................... 6-15
Used
....................................... 6-18
Whentochange
.............................. 6-18
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-32
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-75
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-60
Fan Control. Climate Control System ............ 3.2. 3.3
Fender Marker Lamp
Bulb Replacement ............. 6-44
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-19
Finish Care
.................................... 6-64
Finish Damage
................................. 6-66
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-78
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-51
Fog Lamps
.................................... 2-45
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Four-wheel Drive
......................... 2-22. 6-27
French LanguageManual
11
Front Axle .................................... 6-28
Front Axle Locking Feature
....................... 2-23
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement ..... 6-42. 6-43
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-78
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Tank Capacity
............................... 6-78
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-71
FusibleLinks
.................................. 6-71
.. ...........................
bages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-72
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-75 "
Fuel ....................................... 2-78
Speedometer
................................. 2-65
Tachometer
.................................. 2-65
Voltmeter
................................... 2-70
9-4
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Methanol ...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-48
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-51
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-48
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-48
Manual
..................................... 2-51
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-5 1
MMT ......................................... 6-4
Model Reference
................................. vi
MountainRoads ................................ 4-35
New Vehicle Break-In
.......................... 2- IO
Nightvision ................................... 4-28
Noise Control System
........................... 6- 14
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............. 6-77
Odometer
.................................... 2-65
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-65
Off-Road Driving
.............................. 4- 14
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- I 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-15
Opener. Garage Door
............................ 2-52
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 1 I
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-45
Owner Publications. Ordering
................ 8- I I. 8- 12
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-67
Park. Shifting Into
.............................. 2-28
Park. Shifting Out of
............................ 2-30
Parking
AtNight
.................................... 2-10 Brake
...................................... 2-27
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-48
Lots
....................................... 2-10
Over Things That Burn
........................
Passenger Position .............................. 1-23
Passing
....................................... 4-12
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-49
Power Accessory Outlet
............................. 2-61
DoorLocks
................................... 2-6
Driver’sSeat
................................. 1-3
Option Fuses ................................ 6-70
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-51
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering
Fluid ................................ 6-33
Take-0
ff .................................... 4-59
Winches
.................................... 4-59
Windows ................................... 2-33
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-22
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
PTO ......................................... 4-59
Publications, Service and Owner
.............. 8- 1 1, 8- 12
Radiator ..................................... 5-18
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-32
Radio Reception ................................ 3-23
Radios
........................................ 3-7
Rain, Driving
In ................................ 4-29
ReadingLamps
................................ 2-46
9-7
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