Definition of Caution, Notice, and Important
The diagnosis and repair procedures in GM service information contain both general and specific Cautions, Notices, and Importants. GM is dedicated to the presentation of service information that helps the technician to diagnose and repair the systems necessary for the proper operation of the vehicle, however, certain procedures may present a hazard to the technician if they are not followed in the recommended manner. Cautions, Notices, and Importants are elements designed to prevent these hazards, however, not all hazards can be foreseen. This information is placed at strategic locations within the service manual. This information is designed to prevent the following from occurring
- Serious bodily injury to the technician
- Damage to the vehicle
- Unnecessary vehicle repairs
- Unnecessary component replacement
- Improper repair or replacement of vehicle components. Any caution or notice that appears in general information is referenced from the individual service categories.
CAUTION Defined
When encountering a CAUTION, you will be asked to take a necessary action or not to take a prohibited action. If a CAUTION is not heeded, the following consequences may occur
- Serious bodily injury to the technician
- Serious bodily injury to other technicians in the workplace area
- Serious bodily injury to the driver and/or passenger(s) of the vehicle, if the vehicle has been improperly repaired
NOTICE Defined
Notices call special attention to a necessary action or to a prohibited action. If a NOTICE is not heeded, the following consequences may occur
- Damage to the vehicle
- Unnecessary vehicle repairs
- Unnecessary component replacement
- Improper operation or performance of the system or component under repair
- Damage to any systems or components which are dependent upon the proper operation of the system or component under repair
- Improper operation or performance of any systems or components which are dependent upon the proper operation or performance of the system or component under repair
- Damage to fasteners, basic tools, or special tools
- The leakage of coolant, lubricant, or other vital fluids
IMPORTANT Defined
IMPORTANT statements emphasize a necessary characteristic of a diagnostic or repair procedure. IMPORTANT statements are designed to do the following
- Clarify a procedure
- Present additional information for accomplishing a procedure
- Give insight into the reason or reasons for performing a procedure in the manner recommended
- Present information that will help to accomplish a procedure in a more effective manner
- Present information that gives the technician the benefit of past experience in accomplishing a procedure with greater ease
Checking Hot Transmission Fluid through Drain Plug Hole Caution
| CAUTION | The engine must be running when the transmission fluid fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Transmission fluid may be hot. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening. |
Handling Preheated Parts Caution
| CAUTION | When handling parts that have been preheated for installation purposes, always wear leather welding gloves with a minimum amount of handling time. Failure to wear leather gloves may result in severe skin burns or personal injury. |
Safety Glasses Caution
| CAUTION | Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage. |
Valve Springs Can Be Tightly Compressed Caution
| CAUTION | Valve springs can be tightly compressed. Use care when removing retainers and plugs. Personal injury could result. |
3-5 Reverse Clutch Backing Plate Rivet Damage Notice
Note. DO NOT install special tools, J tools, onto the gear thrust plate rivets of the 3rd, 5th, and reverse clutch backing plate assembly. The special tools could damage the gear thrust plate rivets.
Component Fastener Tightening Notice
Note. Replacement components must be the correct part number for the application. Components requiring the use of the thread locking compound, lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, or sealants are identified in the service procedure. Some replacement components may come with these coatings already applied. Do not use these coatings on components unless specified. These coatings can affect the final torque, which may affect the operation of the component. Use the correct torque specification when installing components in order to avoid damage.
Emission Modification Notice
Note. Modifications made to the following can affect the vehicle's emission controls and may cause the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), Check Engine or Service Engine Soon lamp to illuminate: The engine The transmission The exhaust The fuel system Replacement tires that do not meet the same Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) of the original tires can also affect the vehicle's emission controls. This may also cause the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), Check Engine or Service Engine Soon lamp to illuminate. Modifications to these systems or the installation of incorrect TPC tires could lead to repairs that are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This may also cause a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test to fail.
Fastener Notice
Note. Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
Heating Transmission Component Notice
Note. Various transmission components require heating to 150°C (300°F) for 30 minutes for proper installation. Overheating may damage the components. Under-heating the components may cause hard installation, which may damage the components.
Machined Surface Damage Notice
Note. Do not nick, scratch or damage the sealing surface. The sealing surface is a machined surface. Damage to the machined surface can cause leakage.
Pin Reuse Notice
Note. Discard the pin. Replace with a NEW pin. Using an old pin may result in transmission damage.
Retaining Ring Reuse Notice
Note. Do not reuse the retaining ring. Install a NEW retaining ring. Reusing the old retaining ring may cause damage to the clutch assembly.
Seal Reuse Notice
Note. Do not reuse the seals. Replace with NEW seals. Reusing old seals may cause transmission damage.
Torque Converter Housing/Low and Reverse Clutch Housing Bolt Size Notice
Note. The bolts used to install the torque converter housing and the low and reverse clutch housing to the transmission case are similar in size and color. The low and reverse clutch housing bolts are, however, shorter than the torque converter housing bolts. Installing torque converter housing bolts into the low and reverse clutch housing may damage the transmission case. To help avoid torque converter housing bolts from being installed into the low and reverse clutch housing and vice versa, store the bolts separately. These bolts must be installed into their correct locations to help avoid transmission case damage.
Transfer Case Bearing Removal Notice
Note. Do not remove the bearings unless they will be replaced. Removing the bearings will damage the races.
Transfer Case Seal Removal Notice
Note. Do not damage the sealing surfaces of the transfer cases or the shafts when prying the seals for removal. Damaging the sealing surface may cause leakage or require replacement of the damaged component.