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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 (I 6 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
0 The vehicle is frequently operated off-road.
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.
Four-wheel Drive Remote Oil Filter
If your vehicle has four-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 Coolant 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.
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Page 250 of 348
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Cleaner
To remove the round air cleaner filter for the 4.3L (VIN Z) engine, turn the
wing nuts to the left. Remove the cover and change the filter. Care should be
taken during reassembly
to ensure that the cover is on straight and the
wingnuts are properly tightened.
I“
a
To remove the square air cleaner filter for the 4.3L (VIN W) high
performance engine, loosen both wingnuts (one
on the duct and one on the
cover).
Lift the air cleaner assembly up from the vehicle. Open both clamps and
lift
off cover to change the filter. While reassembling the air cleaner assembly,
ensure that the air cleaner cover tabs are
fully inserted into the slots in the
air cleaner housing, the two wingscrews are secured, and the PCV air tube is
properly seated
in the left hand valve cover.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air
filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’
in the Index.
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Page 251 of 348

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
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.
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
GM 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.
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.
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Page 252 of 348

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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).
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 (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 transmissionfluid 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. 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
0 Park your vehicle on a level place.
0 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).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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Page 253 of 348
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then, without shutting ofSthe engine, follow these steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out
clean rag
or paper towel.
again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid
level must
be in the COLD area for a cold check or in the HOT area or
cross-hatched area for a hot check.
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Page 254 of 348

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. If the fluid level
is in the
acceptable range,
push the dipstick
back in all the
way; then flip
the
handle down to
lock the dipstick
in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission
fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the
level up to the
COLD area for a cold check or the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally
less than a pint. Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluids labeled DEXR0N’-I11 or DEXR0N’-IIE,
because fluids with those labels are made especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluids other than DEXRON@-I11 or
DEXRON@-IIE
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to
Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way; then flip
the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
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 fo Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a
GM dealership Service Department.
If
you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
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Page 255 of 348

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I 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.
Check the fluid 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:
B
1. Remove the filler (upper) 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.
How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the
Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough fluid to bring the
fluid level
up to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
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Page 256 of 348
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch in your vehicle is self-adjusting. A slight amount of
play (114 inch to 1/2 inch) in the pedal is normal.
When to Check and What to Use
A
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often you should
check
the fluid level in your clutch master cylinder reservoir and for the
proper fluid. See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants”
in the Index.
How to check
The proper fluid should be added if the level does not reach the bottom of
the diaphragm when it’s
in place in the reservoir. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
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