Page 274 of 386
~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. 
6-9 
ProCarManuals.com 
     
        
        Page 275 of 386
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 
6-1 0 
ProCarManuals.com 
     
        
        Page 282 of 386

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. 
6-1 7 
ProCarManuals.com