Page 230 of 358
Service & Appearance Care
. = 226
Engine Oil 3.4L L32 (Code S)
It's a good idea to check your engine oil
every time
you get fuel. In order to get an
accurate reading, the oil must be warm
and the vehicle must be on level ground,
5.7L LTl (Code P)
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few
minutes to drain back into the oil
pan. If
you don't, the oil dipstick might not show
the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
(3.4L L32 (Code S) Engine)
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip lower.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 231 of 358
To Check Engine Oil
(5.7L LT1 (Code P) Engine)
Pull out the dipstick slightly. Pinch the
end of the dipstick tube as you remove
the dipstick to wipe the oil from it.
Then
push it all the way back in. Now remove
it without pinching the tube, keeping the
tip lower.
3.4L L32 (Code S:
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then
you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must
use the right kind. This section explains
what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and
Specifications” in the Index.
11 NOTICE:
UUll 1 auu LUU IIIULII u11. 11 ywul
engine has so much oil that the oil
I level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper operating
I
range, you
damaged.
I I
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
Just fill it enough to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all
the way back in
when you’re through.
227 9
ProCarManuals.com
Page 237 of 358

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer
to the
Maintenance Schedule
to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Chevrolet dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here,
or you could get a
false reading
on the dipstick. damage
your transmission.
Too
much can mean that some of thr
fluid could come
out and fall on hc
~.: engine parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you ~“* check your transmission fluid. ~, \- ~
%it at least 30 minutes before checking
he transmission fluid level
if you have
>een driving:
D When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot
While pulling a trailer.
90°F (32°C).
weather. To
get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get
the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures are above
50°F (10OC). If
it’s colder than
50°F (lO”C), drive the
vehicle in
D (Third Gear) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains
steady for ten minutes. Then follow the
hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold
check is made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours
or more with the
engine off and
is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
233 = =
ProCarManuals.com
Page 238 of 358
Service & Appearance Care
if outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C)
or more. If it's colder than 50°F (lO°C),
you may have to idle the engine longer.
A hot check must follow when fluid is
added during a cold check.
To check the fluid hot or cold:
0 Park your vehicle on a level place.
Place the shift lever in P (Park) with
0 With your foot on the brake pedal,
the parking brake
applied.
move
the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
P (Park).
minutes or more.
0 Let the engine run at idle for three
234
A
3.4L L32 (Code S)
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
3
2
5.7L LTl (Code P)
!. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull it back
out
again.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 239 of 358

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be
in the COLD area for a cold
check or in the
HOT area or
cross-hatched area for a
hot check.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be,
push the dipstick back
in all the way.
How to Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transmission fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level up to
the COLD area for
a cold check or the
HOT area for a hot check. It doesn’t take
much fluid, generally less than a pint.
Don’t overfill. We recommend you use
only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made
especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by
fluid
other than DEXRON@-IIE is not covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under “How to
Check.”
obtained, push the dipstick back
in all
the way.
When the correct fluid level is
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check:
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. However, the
fluid in your manual transmission doesn’t
require changing.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Chevrolet dealership Service
Department.
If
you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here, or you could get a
false reading.
235 9
ProCarManuals.com
Page 240 of 358

Service & Appearance Care
~1 NOTICE: Ill Then, follow these steps:
100 mucn or too mtIe nula can
damage your transmission.
Too
much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hn
engine parts, starting a fire. Be s
to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission
fluid
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to
the bottom of the filler plug hole.
11 3. If the fluid level is good, install the
plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If
the fluid level is low, add more fluid
as described in the next steps.
II
Check the fluid level only when your
engine is
off, the vehicle is parked on a
level place and the transmission is cool
enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
How to Add Fluid:
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add
only enough fluid to bring the fluid
level
up to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug
is fully seated.
... 236
ProCarManuals.com
Page 244 of 358
Service & Appearance Care
1
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold, check the dipstick on the cap of the
coolant recovery tank. The coolant level
should be at
FULL COLD, or a little
higher. When your engine is warm, the
level on the dipstick should be up to
FULL HOT, or a little higher.
If you have the 5.7L LTl (Code P) engine
and this light comes on,
it means you’re
low on engine coolant.
To Add Coolant to the Recovery Tank:
If you need more coolant, add the proper
mix
at the coolant recovery tank, but
only when your engine
is cool. If the tank
is very low or empty, also add coolant to
the radiator. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
9 240
ProCarManuals.com
Page 246 of 358
Service & Appearance Care
When you replace your radiator pressure
cap. an
AC3 cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled
by a thermostat in the engine coolant
system. The thermostat stops the flow
of
coolant through the radiator until the
coolant reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace
your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat is recommended.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
Power Steering Fluid
How to Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten
it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level
on
the dipstick.
ProCarManuals.com