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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 tank full, 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 driving.
You can also write us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re
going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International Export Sales
Post Office Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
Fi/ling Your Tank
I PO444
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).
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Service & Appearance Care
Checking Things Under the Hood
a&
.. .. .
~
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle inside the vehicle. Then go to the
front of the vehicle and pull
up on the secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
PO21 7
.. .
CAUTION
A
If your vehicle h;- air conditioning, the auxiliary fan under the hood
,can
start up and injure you even when the engine is not runninc
*y,?*& 8gKeep your hands, clothing and tools awav from anv underhoo
Wk%selectric fan,
you have one
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~AUTION
- Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire. These
include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield
washer and other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things that will burn onto a
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the filler caps are on properly. Then just
pull the
hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
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.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to get back down into the
oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
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I
K2613
To Check Engine Oil: 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.
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part exp\
lains what
kind
of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specification\
s”
in the Index.
I Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range, your
engine could be damaged.
I
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I CAUTION
I 10 Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it
stops flame
if the engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine backfires, y(--
could be burned. Don’t drive with it
off, and be cr-ful working on
the engine with the air cleaner
off.
~
NOTICE I
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine fire. And,
dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will damage it. Always have the
air cleaner
in place when you’re driving.
Ib remove the air cleaner filter on a gas engine, turn the wing nuts
counterclockwise. Remove the cover and change the filter.
-
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 General Motors dealership Sewice Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get
a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE I
I
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could come out and fail
on hot engine parts,
I
starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check-your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
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Service & Appearance Care
To get the right reading, the fluid must be at normal operating \
temperature,
which is 180°F
to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check the transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If
it's colder than 50°F (lO°C), drive the vehicle in 0 (3rd 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 if outside
temperatures are 50°F (IO'C) or more. If it's colder than 50°F (1 O'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:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
Place the shift lever in P (Park) with the parking brake applied.
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever throu\
gh each
gear range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then,
position the shift lever in
P (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean raa or DaDer towel.
PO229
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out
again.
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Service & Appearance Cam
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 your dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
IYW I ILL
1 Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can 1
mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts,
starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid,
I I
Check the fluld 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.
Then, follow these steps:
~~~~ K24
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
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.
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How to Check Lubricant:
PO592
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole, you’ll need to add
some lubricant.
Add enough lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of the
filler
plug hole.
What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
I
PO593
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