Chevrolet 1980 Light Duty Truck Service Manual page 15

Battery Care
The original equipment battery (two batteries on diesel
engine) needs no periodic maintenance. Its top is
permanently sealed (except for two small vent holes) and
has no filler caps. Water will never have to be added.
The hydrometer (test indicator) in the top of the
battery provides information for testing purposes only. See
Section 6D for battery test procedures.
Jump Starting
CAUTION: The instructions below must
be followed exactly or personal injury
(particularly to eyes) or property damage
may result from
battery acid, or electrical (short circuit)
burns.
• To reduce the likelihood of sparks (and thus of an
explosion), and of electrical burns, be sure the jumper cables
do not have loose or missing insulation.
• THE MAJOR SAFETY PRECAUTION WHEN
JUMP STARTING IS TO MAKE THE FINAL
CONNECTION TO
STATIONARY METALLIC
ENGINE AT SOME
BATTERY. THIS HELPS REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
AN EXPLOSION DUE TO SPARKS.
• To lessen the chance of an explosion, never expose
the battery to open flames or electric sparks. Also do not
smoke near the battery. Batteries give off a gas which is
flammable and explosive.
• To lessen the risk of injury in case an explosion does
occur,
w ear eye protection
working near any battery. Do not lean over a battery.
• Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin,
fabrics, or painted, surfaces because battery fluid is a
corrosive acid.
Flush any contacted area w ith w a te r
im m ediately and thoroughly. Also get medical
help if eyes are affected .
• To lessen the risk of a short circuit, remove rings,
metal watch bands and other metal jewelry. Also do not
allow metal tools to contact at the same time the positive
battery terminal (or any metal connected to this terminal)
and any other metal on the vehicle.
Make certain when attaching the jumper cable clamps
to the positive terminals of the batteries that neither clamp
contacts any other metal.
• The vehicle has a 12 volt battery and a negative
ground electrical system. Make sure that the other vehicle
also has a 12 volt battery and that the negative terminal is
grounded (attached to a metal part of the vehicle). Its
owner's manual may give you that information. If unsure
of the other vehicle's voltage (or if the voltage and ground
on the other vehicle are different from your vehicle), do not
try to jump start as personal injury or severe damage to
electrical and electronic parts may result.
• If the discharged battery has filler caps, check the
fluid level. (Do not check with an open flame and do not
smoke). Add clear drinking water to the proper level if low,
and replace the caps before jump starting.
battery explosion,
GROUND (A SOLID
OBJECT) ON THE
DISTANCE FROM THE
or shield your eyes when
M A IN TEN A N C E AND LUBRICATION
Fig. 0 B -4 -P o w e r S teering F iller Cap
Brake M aster Cylinder
(Also a Safety Service)
Check fluid level in each reservoir and maintain 1/4"
below lowest edge of each filler opening with Delco Supreme
No. 11 or DOT-3 hydraulic brake fluid, or equivalent.
A low fluid level in the brake master cylinder can
indicate worn disc brake pads, and should be checked
accordingly.
Hydro-boost Brake System Hydraulic Pump
1. Vehicles Equipped With Power Steering.
• On vehicles equipped with power steering, the power
steering pump is also used as the Hydro-boost pump. See
section on power steering system when checking fluid level
or adding fluid.
2. Vehicles Equipped With Manual Steering.
• The Hydro-boost pump installed in vehicles equipped
with manual steering uses power steering fluid. See section
on power steering system when checking fluid level or
adding fluid.
NOTICE: Power steering fluid and brake fluid cannot
be mixed, since seat damage may result.
Power Steering System
(Also a Safety Service)
Check the fluid level in the power steering pump at
each oil change and add GM Power Steering FLuid (GM
1050017) or equivalent as needed (Fig. OB-4):
• If fluid is warmed up (about 150°F or 66°C-hot to
the touch), it should be between "Hot" and "Cold" marks
on the filler cap indcator.
• If cool (about 70°F or 21°C), fluid should be between
"Add" and "Cold" marks.
Fluid does not need periodic changing.
Rear Axle (Standard) Lubricant
Check lubricant level. Add lubricant, if necessary, to
fill to level of filler plug hole. Use SAE 80W GL-5 or SAE
80W-90 GL-5 or GM 1052271/1052272 gear lubricant. For
those vehicles driven in Canada, use SAE 80W GL-5 gear
OB-5
LIG H T D U TY T R U C K SER V ICE M AN UAL