Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about it, your vehicle could be damaged.
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VTN) shows the code
letter for your engine. You will find the VIN at the top left
of your
instrument panel. (See “Vehicle Identification Number”
in the Index.)
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher. With the
4.3L (Code
W) engine, use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 9 1 octane or
higher for high power performance, when towing a trailer or with a high
payload requirement. But when operating with a light load as a normal
condition, you may
use middle grade or regular unleaded gasolines.
The gasoline
you use should meet specifications ASTM D48 14 in the U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should have the proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure
you get the right kind of
gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only
unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
91 for premium, 89 for middle grade
and
87 for regular. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your
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 normal,
and you don’t have
to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of it. It’s the heavy,
constant knock that means
you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen \
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
6-3
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
You tow a trailer often.
delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then
you need to change your oil
andfilter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first
.
If none of them is 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.
Engine Coolanf Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant 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 Coolant Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your
skin and could even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay
on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. (See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.)
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 disposal. 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.
6-14
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, 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:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 ” C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
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 (10” C).
If it’s colder than
50°F (IOOC), 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 (IOOC), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a cold check,
you must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading
of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in “P” (Park).
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).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
6-21
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Payload
The Payload Capacity is shown on the CertificationRire label. This is the
maximum load capacity that your vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the
weight of the people inside as part
of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle left the factory, remember to
subtract the weight of these things from the payload. Your dealer can help
you with this.
Trailering Package
If your vehicle comes with the Trailering Package, there is also a load rating
which includes the weight of the vehicle
and the trailer it tows. This rating
is called the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
When you weigh your trailer, be sure to include the weight of everything
you put in it. And, remember to figure the weight of the people inside as
part of your load.
Your dealer can help
you determine your GCWR.
6-46
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses, circuit breakers, and fusible thermal
links in the
wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by electrical
problems. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index for more
information.
Headlights
The headlight wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in the light switch. An
electrical overload will cause the lights
to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain off. If this happens, have your headlight wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit breaker and a fuse. If
the motor overheats
due to heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the
motor cools. If the overload is caused
by some electrical problem and not
snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is too heavy, the circuit breaker
opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed or goes
away.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The optional seven-wire trailer wiring harness is protected by an in-line
fuse
in the battery feed wire. This fuse is near the junction block. See
“Trailer Wiring Harness”
in the Index.
6-66
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NAME
DRL**
PWR
MIRRORS*
TRAILER*
CIRCUITS
PROTECTED
Canadian Daytime Running
Lights
Power Mirror
Trailer Wiring Harness
FUSE
10 Amp
3 Amp
30 Amp
*In-line fuse
**Canada only
***In-line fuse (certain models)
Service Replacement Part and Filter
Recommendations
ENGINE (VIN)
OIL FILTER
AIR CLEANER FILTER
PCV VALVE
SPARK PLUGS*
FUEL FILTER
RADIATOR CAP 4.3L (2)
PF52
A773C
CV789C
.CR43TSM
GF48
1
RC36
*Use copper-cored resistor type spark plugs.
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
4.3L
(W)
PF52
A1163C
cv774c
.CR43TSM GF48
1
RC36
6-74
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Scheduled Maintenance Services
This part tells you the maintenance services you should have done and when
you should schedule them. Your GM dealer knows your vehicle best and
wants you to be happy with
it. If you go to your dealer for all your service
needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
0 carry passengers and cargo within the recommended limits. You will
find these limits on your vehicle’s Certification Label. See “Loading
Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
are driven on regular road surfaces, and within legal driving limits, as
described in Section
4, Your Driving and the Road.
use the proper fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting The Proper Maintenance Schedule
Your driving conditions and how you use your vehicle will help you
determine which schedule to use. The schedules are found later in this
section.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 kilometers).
0 Most trips are less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and the outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in stop-and-go traffic,
0 You operate in dusty areas.
door-to-door
delivery, or other commercial uses).
You tow a trailer.
If any one (or more) of these is true for your driving, follow Schedule I. The
chart for Schedule
I has plus signs (+).
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE I1
Follow Schedule I1 ONLY if none of the above conditions are true. The
chart for Schedule
I1 has dots (0).
7-3
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 6. TRANSMISSION SERVICE: - Change the transmission fluid and
filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven
under
one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic.
Where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90 “F (32” C) or
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
higher.
Frequent trailer pulling.
0 Uses
such as taxi, police, delivery or other commercial service.
If the vehicle
is not used mainly under any of these conditions, change
the fluid and filter every
30,000 miles (50 000 km). See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid” in the Index for more information.
7. FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT*$ - Replace the fuel filter at the
specified interval or sooner if clogged.
8. SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT* - Replace spark plugs with the
type listed in Section
6. See “Specification Charts” in the Index.
9. SPARK PLUG WIRE INSPECTION* - Clean wires and inspect
for bums, cracks or other damage. Check the wire boot fit at the
distributor and at the spark plugs. Replace wires as needed.
Adjust timing to underhood label specifications. Inspect the inside and
outside
of the distributor cap and rotor for cracks, carbon tracking and
corrosion. Clean or replace as needed.
10. ENGINE TIMING CHECK AND DISTRIBUTOR CHECK*$ -
11. FUEL TANK, CAP AND LINES INSPECTION*$ - Inspect the
fuel tank, cap and lines for damage or leaks. Remove fuel cap, inspect
gasket for an even filler neck imprint, and any damage. Replace parts
as needed.
12. ENGINE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT INSPECTION* - Inspect
belt.
Look for cracks, fraying, wear, and proper tension. Adjust or
replace as needed.
* An Emission Control Service
$ The California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform \
this
maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of vehicle useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all re\
commended
maintenance services be performed at the indicated intervals and\
the maintenance be
recorded.
7-8