automatic transmission GMC SIERRA 1998 Owners Manual

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and
the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-
3
2-4 2-5
2-6
2-9
2-
10
2- 10
2-1 1
2-12
2- 14
2-15
2-18
2-2
I
2-25
2-26
2-29 Keys
Tailgate
Third Door
(If Equipped)
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
Theft
PasslockTM
New Vehicle ”Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission Operation Four-wheel Drive
(If Equipped)
Parking Brake
Shifting Into Park
(P) (Automatic
Transmission Models
Only)
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) 2-29
2-30
2-30
2-3 1
2-32
2-32
2-34
2-35
2-4
1
2-43
2-45
2-5
1
2-60
2-62
2-64 Parking
Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission
Models
Only)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
Locking Rear Axle (If Equipped)
Windows
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
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Synchronization
Synchronization may be necessary d~te to the security
method used by this system. The transmitter does not
send the
same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver
will not respond to a signal it has been sent previously.
This prevents anyone from recording and playing back
the signal
from the transmitter.
To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your
vehicle and simultaneously press and hold the
LOCK
and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter for at least
five seconds. The door locks should cycle to confirm
synchronization.
If the locks do not cycle. see your
dealer for service.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in scme cities.
Although your vehicle has
a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on
it can make it
impossible to steal. However. there are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target forjoy riders
01- professional thieves -- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear
a tone reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take
it with you. Always do this.
Ycx~r steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition.
If you have an automatic transmission, taking
your key
out also locks your transmission. And
remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
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'?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver's.
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NOTICE: ~
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it 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 (Manual Tr :--:I: ssion)
The ignition key cannot be
relnoved from the ignition
of manual transmission
vehicles unless the key
release button is used.
To remove the key on n-mual transmission vehicles,
turn the key to OFF, then press the button and turn the
key
to LOCK. 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.
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
If you have ;I diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel
Engine”
in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won‘t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you‘re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If
you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
I
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it now features an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument cluster. This display
must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of
being moved out of
PARK (P). This means that if your
key is
in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will be a small
current drain on your battery which could discharge
your battery over a period
of time. If you have to leave
your key in the ignition in
OFF for an extended period,
it is recommended that you disconnect the battery cable
from the battery
to prevent discharging your battery.
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).
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 (@): This position is
for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 kndh), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
0 Going about 35 rnph (56 kndh) or more. push the
accelerator
all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@) can be used when
towing
a trailer. carrying a heavy load, driving on steep
hills or for off-road driving. You may want
to shif’t 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 norrnal
driving, however
it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@).
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 clown 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
rex wheels when you are trying to start your
vehicle from
a stop on slippery road surfaces.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even Inore power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
LIS~ it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put
in FIRST (1 j while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into first
E war 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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You can shift from 2-WHEEL HIGH (2H) to 4-WHEEL
HIGH (4H) or from 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) to
2-WHEEL HIGH (2H) while
the vehicle is moving.
Your front axle will engage faster
if you take your foot
off the accelerator for a few seconds after you shift. In
extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to stop or
slow the vehicle
to shift into 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H).
To
shift into or out of 4-WHEEL LOW (4L) or
NEUTRAL
(N):
1. Slow the vehicle to a roll, about 1 to 3 mph
(2
to 5 km/h) and shift an automatic transmission
into NEUTRAL
(N), or with a manual transmission,
press the clutch pedal.
2. Shift
the transfer case shift lever in one
continuous motion.
Don’t pause
in NEUTRAL (N) as you shift the
transfer case into 4-WHEEL LOW (4L), or your
gears
could clash.
Remember that driving
in 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or
4-WHEEL LOW (4L) may reduce
fuel economy. Also,
driving
in four-wheel drive on dry pavement could
cause your tires to wear faster and make your transfer
case harder
to shift and run noisier. When your headlamps
or parking lamps are on, rotate the
thumb wheel next
to the headlamp switch up to brighten
or down to dim your transfer case indicator light.
Electronic Transfer Case (If Equipped)
If your four-wheel-drive vehicle has the electronic
transfer case,
the transfer case switches are below and to
the left of the climate control system.
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Use these switches to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive. You can choose among three driving settings:
2HI: This setting is for driving in most street and
highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged
in
two-wheel drive.
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 the last chosen setting 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. If for some reason the transfer cannot make a
requested shift, it will return
to the last chosen setting.
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
with some delay.
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
with some delay.
ting from 2HI or 4HI to 4LO
'li hift from 2HI or 4HI to 4L0, the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than
3 mph (4.8 km/h) 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 kmh). 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 kmh) and the
transmission is
in NEUTRAL (N). After 30 seconds the
transfer case will return to 4HI.
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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.
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Only)
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 kmh) about 2 1/2 miles (4 km) apart. In
between stops, drive the vehicle at
20 mph (32 km/h).
A 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.
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 fourwheel 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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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission
Only)
I A CATJTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. If you have
four-wheel drive with
a manual transfer case
shift lever 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). And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch fire.
You or others could be injured. Don’t
leave your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to. If you
have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle
is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK
(P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that
the shift lever
wasn’t
fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put
too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission.
You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK
(P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK
(P)” in the Index.
When
you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock
system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is
in
RUN. See “Automatic Transmission” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK
(P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up
into PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever
to any gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the brake-transmission shift interlock system
fixed as
soon as you can.
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.
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