Chevrolet 1977 light duty truck Service Manual page 17

EXPLANATION OF COMPLETE
1977 VE H ICLE MAINTENANCE SCH EDU LE
Presented below is a brief explanation of each of the
services listed in the preceding Complete Vehicle
Maintenance Schedule.
NORMAL VEHICLE USE—The owner's maintenance
instructions contained in this maintenance schedule
are based on the assumption that your vehicle will
be used as designed:
• to carry passengers and cargo within the limita­
tions indicated on the VIN plate affixed to the
edge of t'he driver's door,
• on reasonable road surfaces within legal operat­
ing limits,
• on a daily basis, as a general rule, for at least
several miles, and
• on unleaded fuel.
Unusual operating conditions will require more fre­
quent vehicle maintenance as specified in the re­
spective sections included below.
After each of the following maintenance services
is performed, it is recommended that you insert the
month, day and mileage in the maintenance sched­
ule under the appropriate "Owner Service Log"
column.
SECTION A - L U B E & GENERAL MAINTENANCE
ITEM
NO. SERVICES
A-1 CHASSIS — Lubricate all grease fittings in front
suspension and steering linkage. Also lubricate
transmission shift linkage, hood latch, hood and
door hinges, and parking brake cable guides
and linkage, clutch linkage, propeller shaft slip
joint, universal joints and brake and clutch pedal
springs. Lubricate suspension and steering link­
age every 3 months or 3,000 miles when operat­
ing under dusty or muddy conditions and in
extensive off-road use.
Also see Item B-8.*
A-2 FLUID LEVELS-Check level of fluid in brake mas­
ter cylinder*, power steering pump*, battery,
engine*, axle, transmission* and windshield
washer*. Check test indicator on battery (if so
equipped). Engine coolant should be checked
for proper level and freeze protection to at least
—20°F (—29°C) or to the lowest temperature
expected during the period of vehicle opera­
tion.* Proper engine coolant also provides cor­
rosion protection.
Any significant fluid loss in any of these systems
or units could mean that a malfunction is devel­
oping and corrective action should be taken
immediately. A low fluid level in the brake mas­
ter cylinder front reservoir could also be an indi­
cator that the disc brake pads need replacing.
A-3 ENGINE OIL*—Change each 12 months or 7,500
miles, whichever occurs first under normal driv­
ing conditions, or each 3 months or 3,000 miles
when the vehicle is operated under the following
conditions: (a) driving in dusty conditions, (b)
trailer pulling, (c) extensive idling or (d) short-
trip operation at freezing temperatures (with
engine not thoroughly warmed-up). See your
Owner's and Driver's Manual for additional de­
tails on engine oil.
A-4 ENGINE OIL FILTER * - Replace at the first oil
change and every other oil change thereafter, if
mileage (7,500 miles) is the determining factor.
If time (12 months) is the determining factor,
then change oil filter with every oil change.
A-5 TIRES— To equalize wear, rotate tires as indi­
cated in Owner's and Driver's Manual and adjust
tire pressures. Steel-belted radial tires should
be rotated at first 7,500 miles and then at every
15,000 miles thereafter. Bias-belted tires should
be rotated every 7,500 miles.
A-6 REAR AXLE — Change lubricant every 7,500 miles
on all type rear axles or final drives when using
vehicle to pull a trailer.
A-7 AIR CONDITIONING—Check condition of air condi­
tioning system hoses and refrigerant charge at
sight glass (if so equipped). Replace hoses and/
or refrigerant if need is indicated.
A-8 COOLING SYSTEM*-At 12-month or 15,000-mile
intervals, wash radiator cap and filler neck with
clean water, pressure test system and radiator
cap for proper pressure holding capacity, tighten
hose clamps and inspect condition of all cool­
ing and heater hoses. Replace hoses if checked,
swollen or otherwise deteriorated. Clean exte­
rior of radiator core and air conditioning con­
denser. Every 24 months or 30,000 miles, drain,
flush, and refill the cooling system with a new
coolant solution as described in your Owner's
and Driver's Manual.
A-9 WHEEL BEARINGS—Clean and repack front wheel
bearings with a lubricant as specified in the
"Recommended Fluids & Lubricants" chart in
this folder.
'Also a Safety Service
*Also an Emission Control Service
A-10 MANUAL STEERING GEAR-Check for seal leakage
around the pitman shaft and housing. If leakage
is evident (solid grease oozing out—not just oily
film), it should be corrected immediately.
A-11 CLUTCH CROSS SHAFT - Lubricate clutch cross
shaft lever.
A-12 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID*-Under normal
driving conditions, change the transmission fluid
and service the sump filter every 60,000 miles.
Under unusual conditions such as constant
driving in heavy city traffic, trailer pulling, and
commercial applications, services should be
performed at 15,000-mile intervals. See your
Owner's and Driver's Manual for further details
on transmission care.
SECTION B - S A F E T Y MAINTENANCE
NOTE: Items B-1 (a) thru (v) can be checked by
the owner or driver, while items B-2 thru B-9
should only be checked by a qualified mechan­
ic. It is particularly important that any safety
systems which may have been adversely af­
fected in an accident be checked and repaired
as necessary before the vehicle is returned to
use.
B-1 SAFETY CHECKS TO BE PERFORMED BY OWNER OR
DRIVER— The following checks should be made
regularly during operation at no greater interval
than 12 months or 7,500 miles, whichever oc­
curs first, and more often when the need is in­
dicated. Any deficiencies should be brought to
the attention of your dealer or another service
outlet, as soon as possible, so the advice of a
qualified mechanic is available regarding the
need for repairs or replacements.
(a)STEERING COLUMN LOCK (EXCEPT VAN) -
Check for proper operation by attempting to
turn key to LOCK position in the various
transmission gear ranges when the vehicle
is stationary. Key should turn to LOCK
position only when transmission control is
in PARK on automatic transmission mod­
els. Key should be removable only in LOCK
position.
PARKING BRAKE—Check parking brake hold­
(b)
ing ability by parking on a fairly steep hill
and restraining the vehicle with the parking
brake only.
CAUTION: Before making checks (c) or (d) be­
low, be sure to have a clear distance ahead and
behind the vehicle, set the parking brake and
firmly apply the foot brake. Do not depress ac-