phone GMC SIERRA 1998 Owners Manual

Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
e.” If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the
front of my vehicle, will it keep the air
bags
from working properly?
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is
attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s basic
structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the
air bags from working properly in a crash.
Q.” Is there anything I might add to the front of the
vehicle that could keep the air bags from
working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or
height, they may keep the air bag system from
working properly. Also, the air bag system may
not
work properly if you relocate any of the air bag
sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you
should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. (The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are
in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. See “Customer Satisfaction Procedure” in
the Index.)
What if I add a snow plow? Will it keep the air
bags from working properly?
A: We’ve designed our air bag systems to work
properly under a
wide range of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles equipped
with the
optional Snow Plow Prep Package (RPO
VYU). But don’t change or defeat the snow plow’s
“tripping mechanism.”
If you do, it can damage
your snow plow and your vehicle, and
it may cause
an air bag inflation.
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’ NOTICE:
Holding a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while
it is heating can make it overload,
~ damaging the lighter and the heating element.
Just push the lighter all the way in and let go.
When it’s done,
it will pop back by itself.
Accessory Power Outlets
Two auxiliary power outlets are located near the
cigarette lighter. Use these outlets to power mobile
telephones or other devices designed to operate
with
vehicle electrical systems.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them
out to help block glare at the front
and side windows.
Your visor may have a strap
to hold small items, such
as maps.
Some visors have an extender on the inside edge. When
the visor is down, pull
the extender out for extra glare
coverage at the front
or side.
Some visors have mirrors with lamps.
If the mirror has
lamps, they will come on when
you lift the mirror cover.
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Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until
it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful
to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to
it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
0 Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE: F
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio
-- be sure you can
add what you want.
If you can, it’s very
important to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation
of
your vehicle’s engine, Delco Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
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Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively.
Please start
with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up.
(See “Safety Belts” in the Index.) Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads
or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going
to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable
of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver,
in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front
of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on the
driving task. Anything that distracts from the driving
task
-- such as concentrating on a cellular telephone call,
reading, or reaching for something on the
floor -- makes
proper defensive driving more difficult and can even cause
a collision, with resulting injury. Ask a passenger to help
do things like this, or pull
off the road in a safe place to do
them yourself. These simple defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
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J L
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work
as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to
one side. You could lose control
of the vehicle.
After driving through
a large puddle of water or
a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride
on the water.
This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you’re
going
fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or
more
is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher
speeds, There
just
isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice
is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
c
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
0 Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
0 Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See
“Tires”
in the Index.)
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Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact GMC if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and how to report any safety defects.
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8-4
8-5
8-7
8-8
8-9 Customer
Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Roadside Assistance
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Courtesy Transportation
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program 8-11
8-
10 Warranty Information
8-10 Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
Reporting Safety Defects
to the
Canadian Government
8- 11 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
8-11 Ordering Service and Owner Publications
in Canada
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For prompt assistance, please have the following information
available to give
the Customer Assistance Representative:
Your name, address, home and business
telephone numbers
0 Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at
the top
left of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
0 Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
0 Nature of concern
We encourage you to call
us so we can give your inquiry
prompt attention. However,
if you wish to write GMC,
address your inquiry to:
GMC Customer Assistance
3 1 E. Judson Street 1607-04
Pontiac, MI 48342-2230
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Comlnunication Centre,
163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L 1 H 8P7 Refer to your
Wmanty and Owner Assistance Information
booklet for addresses
of GM Overseas off'ices.
When contacting GMC, please remember that your concern
will likely be resolved in the dealership, using the dealer's
facilities, equipment and personnel. That is why we suggest
you follow Step One
first if you have a concern.
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing,
or speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones
(TTYs), GMC has TTY equipment available
at
its Customer Assistance Center. Any TTY
user can communicate with GMC by dialing:
1 -800-GMC-8583. (TTY users in Canada can
dial 1-800-263-3830.)
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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.
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Del~m? Trip Routing: Custom-made, computerized
maps using the most direct or scenic route are provided
free
of charge. Maps include points of interest and list
GMC dealers along the route. Trip Routing also includes
a national hotel discount book and a book
of coupons.
State and local maps available upon request. Please
be prepared to furnish your Vehicle Identification
Number
(VIN).
Trip InterrLtption Assistonce: GMC will reimburse any
reasonable trip interruption expenses (up to $500.00)
when directly associated with warranty disablement. Trip
Interruption service covers expenses such as meals and
overnight lodging
if vehicle disablement occurs at least
150 miles (240 km) from your home or rental property.
Please Note: you will be required to obtain prior
approval from GMC Roadside Assistance and pay for
expenses at the time
of disablement. Original receipts
should be submitted to GMC Roadside Assistance for
reimbursement. A service representative will provide
assistance when you call. The Roadside Assistance services listed are available
to
retail and retail lease customers operating
1998 GMC
light duty trucks for a period of 3 years/36,000 miles
(60 000 km). All services must be pre-arranged by
GMC Roadside Assistance.
Over-the-phone assistance, such as providing the name
of the closest dealer or minor technical advice, etc., is
available to all owner/operators
of GMC trucks,
regardless
of vehicle or mileage.
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Just dial GMC Roadside Assistance at
1 -800-GMC-8782 (1 -800-462-8782, Roadside
Assistance prompt) to reach a qualified representative
who can assist
you.
Your Roadside Assistance representative will ask for the
following information when your call is received:
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Name and home address
Telephone number and location from which YOLI
Location, license plate number and color of your
Mileage of vehicle and description of problem
are
calling
GMC truck
Roadside Assistance is available
23 hours a day, 7 days
a week, 365 days a year, including weekends and
holidays. Should you have any questions about roadside
assistance, call the GMC Roadside Assistance Center or
contact your dealer.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided by the dealer
or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
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