1993 GMC SIERRA Owners Manual

T-
K2613
To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or a 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 line, then you’ll need to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part explains what kind\

of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Spec\
ifications’’ in
the Index.
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the proper operating range, your engine could
be damaged. I
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Service & Appearance Care
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.
I’ I
What Kind of Oil to Use:
Look for these two things:
CElSG
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For SAE 15W-40 or SAE 1OW-30, CE must be on the oil container. For
SAE
30, CD must be there. These may be listed alone or with letters,
such as
CEISG, CE/SG/SF, SGICD, etc. These letters show the
American Petroleum Institute (API) levels
of qualijr.
NOTICE
If you use oils that don’t have these designations, you can cause engine
damage which
is not covered by your warranty.
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LOOK
FOR THIS
LABEL
PO346
SAE 15W-40
AS shown in this chart, SAE 15W-40 is best for your vehicle. How\
ever,
you can use SAE 1OW-30 if
it's going to be colder than 60°F (1 6°C)
before your next oil change. When it's very cold, below 0°F (-18"C), you
should use SAE 1OW-30
to improve cold starting. Also, with
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Service & Appearance Cam
heavy-duty applications at temperatures above freezing, 32°F (O’C), SAE
30 grade oil is recommended.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE IOW-40 or SAE 2OW-50.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil contai\
ners 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 Oil:
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
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door to door
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places. km).
delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
The vehicle is frequently operated off-road .
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and filter every 2,500 miles (4000 km) or 3 months-whichever comes
first.
If none of these is true, change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles (8000
km) or 12 months-whichever comes first.
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What to Do with Used Oil:
I
I PAUTION
Used engine oil contains things that have caused skin cancer i\
n I
laboratory animals. Don’t let used oil stay on your skin fo\
r very long.
clnan your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
c,,aner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags containing
used engine oil.
I
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disp\
osal. Don’t ever
dispose of
oil by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams
or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used oil.
If you have a problem properly disposing of your used
oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling \
center for help.
Air Cleaner
I I
PO216
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace \
the air
cleaner filter on diesel engines and the air cleaner filter an\
d crankcase ventilation filter on gasoline engines. See “Scheduled Mainten\
ance Services’’
in the Index.
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Service & Appearance Care
I
IC 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, you
could be burned. Don't drive with it
off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner
off.
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine fire. And,
dirt can easily get into your engine, which will dan le
it. Alway! 3 tl
air cleaner in place when you're driving.
To remove the air cleaner filter on a gas engine, turn the wing nuts
counterclockwise. Remove the cover and change the filter.
fi 31 Fnning 6.5L Engine
K2151
On a 6.2L diesel engine there are two wing nuts. On a 6.5L \
diesel engine, unhook the clips.
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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 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.
I Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can
nean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts,
itarting
a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
ransmission ftuid.
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.
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 (1 0°C). If
it's colder than
50°F (lO°C), drive the vehicle in D (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 (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.
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Senrr'ce & bmearance Care
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 through 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 rag or paper towel.
PO229
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out
again.
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