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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
1 you try to do your own service work without knowing enough abol
'OUI ehicle could be damaged.
Fuel
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you’re using fuel rated at 91 octane or higher and you still hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service. But don’t worry
if you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s nor\
mal, and
you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the
heavy, constant knock that means you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen,\
such as
MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBE is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
-uel that is more than
5% methanol is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use il
’ an corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic
ma rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under your Wa-
Znd even at
5% or less, there must be “cosolvent! “ and corrosion
Ireventers
in this fuel to help avoid these problem! I
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system. That helps keep your engine in tune
and your emission control system working properly. It’s good \
for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called oxygenates. General
Motors recommends that you use gasolines with these blending ma\
terials,
such as MTBE and ethanol. By doing
so, you can help clean the air,
especially in those parts
of the country that have high carbon monoxide
levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated \
gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated g\
asoline. By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators
if their gasolines contain
detergents and oxygenates, and
if they have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the US. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard
to find. Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tankful, your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system \
can corrode,
and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s three-way catalytic
converter and oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means costly
repairs that wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the country where you’ll be d\
riving.
You can also write us at the following address for advice.
Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VI\
N).
General Motors
of Canada Limited
International Export Sales
P.O. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario LIH 7N1, Canada
Filling Your Tank
A Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns violently, and that can
cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near g’asoline or
aefuel’ing your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking mat\
erials
away fmm gasoline.
I
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of your vehicle.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise).
CAUTION
If you get gawline on you and then1 something1 ignites it, you lcould
be badly burned. Easolli’ne can spray out on you if you open the fuel
filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is ne,arly
fiulll, and is momre likely in hot weather. Open the fu~el filler cap slbwly
an8d
warit for any “’hiss” mise to stop.
Then unscrew
the cap all the way. I
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until you hear a clicking
noise.
NOTICE
Checking nings Under the Hood
KO605
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Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil level every time you get fuel. In
order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle\
must
be on level around.
a
KO609
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Energy Conserving II
Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used
on most oil containers to help
you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that
display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives:
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you think
something should be added.
When to Change Engine c)k
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles
(16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door delivery,
You tow a trailer often.
or in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated off-road.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, you need to chang\
e your oil and
filter every 3,000 miles (5000 km) or 3 months-whichever comes first.
If none of them are true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
12 months-whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
If your vehicle has 4-wheel drive, you ,will have a remote oil filter located
under the hood.
It is mounted to the front left inner fender, behind the
headlights.
Engine Block Heater:
An engine block heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
-0°F (-18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option, see
“Engine Block Heater” in the Index.
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Service & Appearance Care
To Check Brake Fluid:
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap. Just look at the
windows on the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid levels should be above
MIN. If
they aren’t, have your brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make sure t\
he levels are above
MIN and below the top of each window.
What To Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid-such as Delco
Supreme
11 @ (GM Part No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Vehicles we design and test have top-quality GM brake parts in
them, as your vehicle does when
it is new. When you replace parts of your
braking system-for example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put in-be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts.
If you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear brakes can change, for the\
worse. The braking performance you’ve come
to expect can change in many other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Fluid Leak Check
After the vehicle has been parked for a while, inspect the su\
rface under the
vehicle for water, oil, fuel or other fluids. Water dripping from the air
conditioning system after
it has been used is normal. If you notice fuel leaks
or fumes, the causes should be found and corrected at once.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to lubricate them
and what type
of lubricant to use.
Exhaust System
To help prevent damage to your exhaust system, do not continue to drive
your vehicle if you notice:
Engine misfiring
* Loss of performance
Other unusual operating conditions
Have your engine and exhaust system serviced regularly.
Three- Way Catalytic Converter
Your vehicle’s three-way catalytic converter is designed to reduce \
the
pollutants in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use only unleaded fuel \
in your vehicle.
If
you use leaded fuel, you could damage your three-way catalytic \
converter, and other engine components.
The Malfunction Indicator (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) lamp on your instrument panel lets you know when your emission system needs \
service.
The light will come on briefly when you start your engine to let you know
that the system is working.
If it does not come on when you start your
engine, or
if it comes on and stays on while you’re driving, your system \
may
need service. Your vehicle should still be driveable, but you should have your
system serviced right away.
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