Cautions, Notices, and Importants in the Service Manual
The diagnosis and repair procedures in the GM Service Manual 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 |
| • | 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:
| • | 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:
| • | 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 |
