towing GMC SIERRA 1998 Owner's Guide

Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check
the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant.
Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom
of 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.
C3 (3500 HD) Trucks Equipped with Dana
Rear
Axle
Additional rear axle scheduled maintenance is required
on
3500 HD models equipped with Dana rear axles
when they are driven under the following conditions:
Extreme loading (at or near GVWR) or trailer
Operation above 45 mph (70 km/h) for extended
Vehicles used in any of these conditions require the
rear axle lubricant be changed every
30,000 miles
(50 000 km). Fluid capacity is 4.12 quarts (3.9 L).
towing, and:
periods of time.
Four-wheel Drive
Most lubricant checks in this section also apply to
four-wheel-drive vehicles. However, they have two
additional systems that need lubrication.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Intervals -- Gasoline Engines I
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark
Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions). Positive
Crankcase Ventilation
(PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first). Follow this maintenance
schedule
only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Driving CI Ldzicle r+*ith CI fL1ly warmed engine urzder
highvvcry conditions
causes engine oil to break
dowm slorvcr.
7-6
ProCarManuals.com

1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
4:::: Drive axle service (see "Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants"
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
0 Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed.
If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed at every oil change.
If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer. drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles (25
000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
0 3500 HD Models with applications requiring
heavy-duty
or off-road use.
extreme overload/trailer towing conditions and
high-speed (above
45 mph or 70 km/h) conditions
for extended periods of time must have the drive axle
fluid changed every
30,000 miles (50 000 km).
See "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants" in
this section.
7-9
ProCarManuals.com

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).
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote #.)
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote *$:.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
DATE
I MILEAGE ACTUAL 1 SERVICEDBY I
DATE I
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle’s GVWR is over
MILEAGE
ACTUAL SERVICED BY 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
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
IJ’pou do nut ~se your vehicle under NIIY of these cmditions, c.llcmge the.flLric1
und filter at IOO, 000 miles (I 66 000 kn;).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
90°F (32°C) or higher.
7-17
ProCarManuals.com

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
previously and, therefore, haven‘t changed your automatic transmission fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
17 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
Arz Emission Control Service.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
150,000 Miles (240 000 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.
DATE
I MILEAGE ACTUAL I SERVICED BY:
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test I I
cooling system and pressure cap.
AH Emission Control Service.
7-27
ProCarManuals.com

Long TriplHighway Maintenance Schedule -- -asoline Engines 1
45,000 Miles (75 000 km) (Continued)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
0 Vehicles With GVWR Above 8,500 lbs. Only: Inspect shields and underhood
velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
:c*.)
insulation for damage or looseness. Adjust or replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control Service. Applicable only to \:elzicle.s
sold in the United States.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
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
MILEAGE
90°F (32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use ?:out* vehicle under my of these conditions,
change the fluid nnd.filter at
100,000 miles (I 66 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
7-32
ProCarManuals.com

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0
0
0 0
Inspect spark plug wires.
An E~nission Control Service.
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 condi\
tions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven’t changed your automatic transmission fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (Pcv) valve.
At7 Emission Control Service.
90°F (32°C) or higher.
DATE
MILEAGE I SERVICED B’
7-38
ProCarManuals.com

Roadside Assistance
GMC’s Roadside Assistance provides stranded owners
with over-the-phone roadside repairs, location
of the
nearest GMC dealer or the following special services:
FlLu Tire CI.rcr/zge: Installation of spare tire will be
covered at no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement
of tire).
Fw/ De/iver2\?: Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station
(up to $4.00) will
be covered.
Jwnp Stcrrt: No-start situations which require a battery
jump start
will be covered at no charge.
Lock Out: Replacement keys or locksmith service will
be covered at no charge
if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery
of the replacement key will
be covered at no charge within
10 miles ( 14 km).
E17zerpmy 7hvi1zg Senlice: Towing to the nearest
GMC dealer for warranty related disablements will
be covered.
ProCarManuals.com

Vinyl ....................................... 6-63
Wheels
..................................... 6-67
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-65
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-7
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic
..................... 6-25. 7-46
Clutch. System Check
........................... 7-41
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Comfort Guides. Rear
........................... 1-40
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-26
Compact Disc Player
.......................
3-16 . 3-20
Compact Disc Player Care
........................ 3-26
Compass. Rearview Mirror
with ................... 2-46
Console Storage
................................ 2-54
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... 2-SO
Coolant ............................. 6-28.6-79.7-46
Heater
. Engine ............................... 2- 14
Recovery Tank ............................... 5- I5
Cooling System ................................ 5- IS
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-8
Cruise Control
................................. 2-38
Cupholders
.......................... 2.54.2.55. 2-56
Customer Assistance Information ................... 8- I
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Climate Control System ....................... 3.2 . 3-3
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-68
Darnage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-67
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-42
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Lighl
............ 2-74
Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety ........................ 8- 10
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-6
Defoggng
and Defrosting ......................... 3-6
Dolby B Noise Reduction
....................... 3-15
Dome Lamps
.................................. 2-44
DO0
I.
Locks ....................................... 2-5
Storage Pocket ............................... 2-51
Third
........................................ 2-4
Downshifting
.................................. 2-20
Driver Position ................................. 1-14
Driving City
........................................ 4-31
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-32
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-38
In the Rain .................................. 4-28
Night
...................................... 4-27
Off-Road
................................... 4-14
On Curves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-58
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-34
On Snow and Ice
............................. 4-37
Through Water
............................... 4-30
Wet Roads
.................................. 4-28
Winte
l- ...................................... 4-36
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-56
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Dual Tire Operation
............................. 6-56
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
Lockout Switch
......................
Locks
Cylinders
.........................
Door .............................
Ignition Transmission Check ..........
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..........
Power Door .......................
Lubricants and Fluids ..................
Lubrication Service, Body ..............
Lumbar Controls .....................
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts .
Maintenance Record ..................
Maintenance Schedule .................
Long Trip/Highway Definition ........
Long Tripmighway Intervals ..........
Owner Checks and Services ...........
Periodic Maintenance Inspections ......
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ...
Scheduled Maintenance Services .......
Short TripKity Definition ............
Short TripKity Intervals .............
Maintenance, Underbody ...............
Maintenance When Trailer Towing .......
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............
Manual Front Seat ....................
Manual Mirror .......................
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
ProCarManuals.com