steering GMC SIERRA 1998 Owner's Guide

Engine Fan Noise If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving
conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch
is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading. trailer
towing and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more
fully engages. So you may
hear an increase
in fan noise. This is normal and should
not be mistaken as the transmission slipping or making
extra shifts.
It is merely the cooling system functioning
properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling
is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may
also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine.
It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages. It‘s
unusual for
a tire to “blow out’’ while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly.
If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire hils, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in
a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go.
It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to
a stop -- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth,
you can destroy your transmission. I
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains”
in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If
you have a
four-wheel drive vehicle, shift into
4HI. Then shift back
and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transmission, between FIRST
(1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is
in gear. If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out.
Or,
you can use your recovery hooks if your vehicle has
them.
If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing
Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle may be equipped with recovery hooks.
The recovery hooks are provided
at the front of your
vehicle.
You may need to use them if you’re stuck
off-road and need to be pulled to some place where
you can continue driving.
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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and
a part devoted to its appearance care.
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6-3
6-5
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I
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6- 25
6-26
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6-28 6-32
6-32 Service
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
Fuels
in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
Filling Your Tank (Gasoline Engine)
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Noise Control System
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
Air Cleaner Filter (Gasoline Engine)
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch
Rear Axle
Four-wheel Drive
Engine Coolant Radiator Pressure Cap (Gasoline Engine)
Thermostat
, 6-33
6-3 3
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6-50
6-5
1
6-6 1
6-62
6-65 6-69
6-70
6-70
' 6-76
6-77 6-79 Power
Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System Replacement
Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
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“VORTEC” 4300,5000,5700 Engine, “VORTEC” 5700 engine shown, locations for other engines similar.
When you lift
up the hood you’ll see:
A. Battery
G. Automatic Transmission L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
B. Air Cleaner
Dipstick
(If Equipped) (If Equipped)
C. Radiator Cap H. Fan M. Windshield Washer Fluid
D. Coolant Recovery Tank I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Reservoir
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator J. Engine Oil Fill N. FuseRelay Center
F. Engine Oil Dipstick K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
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“VORTEC” 7400 Engine
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Air Cleaner
D. Radiator Cap
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transmission L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
Dipstick (If Equipped)
(If Equipped)
H. Engine Oil Fill M. Windshield Washer
I. Fan Fluid Reservoir
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir N. Fusemelay Center
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
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Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there is
a leak in the system or you hear
an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid
to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When YOLI need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer‘s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle
in an area where the temperature
may
fdll below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
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Fuse/Circuit Breaker Usage
20
21
22
23
24
A
B
PRNDL, Automatic Transmission,
Speedometer, Check Gages
Warning Light
Security/Steering
Not Used
Not Used
Front Axle,
4WD Indicator Lamp,
TP2 Relay (Gasoline Engine)
Power Door Lock, Six-Way Power Seat, Keyless Entry Module
Power Windows
Underhood Fuse/Relay Center
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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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(I 66 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and ”Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
p 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 spline 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.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See ”Brake System Inspection’’ under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections”
in Part C of this schedule.
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Long TripMighway Maintenance Schedule =- Gasoline Engines
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles (240 000
km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
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 spline 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.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections”
in Part C of this schedule.
‘+‘K Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change.
At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed.
0 Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every engine oil change.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring
high-speed (above 45 mph or 70 kndh) operation
for
extended periods of time must have the drive axle
fluid changed every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km).
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Part C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall).
You should let your dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center
do these
jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are completed
at once..
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See ”Service and Owner
Publications”
in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect
the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause
a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See ”Engine Exhaust” in
the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser. To help
ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and
cruise control cables.
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