
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine B'
The coolant level should be at or above the ADD mark. If it isn't, you may
have a leak
in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else
in the cooling system.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn't
covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again. See if the fan speed
increases when idle speed is doubled
by pushing the accelerator pedal down.
If
it doesn't, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn't at or above
the
ADD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled)
and a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See "Engine Coolant"
in the Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
5-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
Section
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle . This part
begins with service and fuel information. and then
it shows how to check
important fluid and lubricant levels
. There is also technical information
about your vehicle. and a section devoted to
its appearance care .
Service ................................................... 6-2
Fuel
..................................................... 6-3
Checking Things Under the Hood
.............................. 6-6
Engineoil
.............................................. 6-8
Aircleaner
............................................ 6-14
Automatic Transmission Fluid
............................. 6-15
Manual Transmission Fluid
............................... 6-18
Hydraulic Clutch ........................................ 6-20
RearAxle
............................................. 6-20
Transfer Case
.......................................... 6-21
FrontAxle
............................................. 6-22
Enginecoolant
......................................... 6-23
Power Steering Fluid
.................................... 6-26
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................. 6-28
Brake Master Cylinder
................................... 6-29
Replacing Brake System Parts
................................ 6-30
Battery
.................................................. 6-31
Vehiclestorage
......................................... 6-31
Bulb Replacement
......................................... 6-32
Other Maintenance Items
.................................... 6-35
Loading Your Vehicle
...................................... 6-39
Tires .................................................... 6-42
Appearance Care
.......................................... 6-49
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
.......................... 6-58
Service Parts Identification Label
............................. 6-60
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
.................................. 6-60
Capacities and Specifications Charts
........................... 6-62
6-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service
Your GM dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it.
We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get
genuine
GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you’ll want
to keep your GM vehicle all GM. Genuine GM parts
have
one of these marks:
Dohg Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to get the
proper GM Service Manual. It tells
you much more about how to service
your vehicle than this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service Publications” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the
date of
any service work you perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the
Index.
NOTICE:
I
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about
it, your vehicle could be damaged.
6-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 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 91 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 9
1 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.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for your vehicle.
Don’t use it. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel syst\
em and
also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t be
covered under your warranty. And even at
5% or less, there
must be “cosolvents” and corrosion preventers in this fuel\
to
help avoid these problems.
6-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Gasolines for CIeaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will help prevent
deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system. That helps keep your
engine in
tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s good \
for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates. General Motors
recommends that you use gasolines with these blending materials,
such as
MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in
those parts
of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated
gasolines.
These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. General Motors recommends that
you use reformulated gasoline.
By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should
ask your service station operators if their gasolines contain
deposit control additives and oxygenates, and
if they have been
reformulated
to reduce vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard
to find. Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tankful, 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 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 Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales
(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
6-4

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.
6-13

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.
6- 14

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.
6-15