1994 CHEVROLET TRACKER oil additives

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
pinging. 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 S% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it.
It can corrode metal parts
in your fuel
system 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 prevent-
ers
in this fuel to help avoid these
problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner 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
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Corporation
157.. ProCarManuals.com

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Geo
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 (1 6 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as
in door-to-door delivery, or
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or
3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change oil and
filter every
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or
7.5 months - whichever comes first.
off-road.
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 (-I 8°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 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-tlowing 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.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
detertnine when to replace the
air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services“
ir
the Index.
A CAUTION:
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.
165.
ProCarManuals.com

and refill. If you use this mixture. you
don't need to add anything else.
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your
cooling system can
be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other
liquid like
alcohol, can
boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's
cool-
ant warning system is set for the
proper coolant
mix. With plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the
overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost
wouldn't be covered by your war-
ranty.
Too much water in the mix can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Some conditions, such
as air
trapped in
the cooling system, can af't'ect the coolant
level
in the radiator. Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold and follow
the steps under "Adding Coolant" for the
proper way
to add coolant.
If you have to add coolant Inore than four
times
a year. have your dealer check your
cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant. you
don't have to add extra inhibitors
or
additives which claim to improve thc
system. These can
be harmful.
%-Valve Engine
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold.
the coolant level should be at
"LOW," or a little higher. When your
engine
is warm. the level should be up to
"FULL." or a little higher.
171 ..
ProCarManuals.com

A bout Driving Your Tracker ..... 3
ABS ......................... 103
Adding Coolant ................ 171
Additives. Engine
Oil ............ 165
Adjustment. Clutch
............. 169
Air Cleaner .................... 165
Air Conditioner Controls
......... 85
Air Filter Replacement
........... 166
Air Intake Lever ................ 84
Airflow Lever
.................. 84
Alignment and Tire Balance
.
Wheel ...................... 187
Aluminum Wheels
.............. 193
AM/FM Stereo
................ 88
With Cassette Tape and Compact
Disc Player
................ 93
With Cassette Tape Player ...... 89
Antenna
...................... 98
Anti-Lock Brakes
.............. 103
To Use ..................... 103
Appearance Care ............... I89
Appearance Care and Materials
.... 195
Appearance Care. Service and
..... 155
Approaching
a Hill .............. 1 10
Ashtrays and Lighter ............ 62
Ashtray. Front
................. 63
Ashtray. Rear .................. 63
Assist Grips. Passenger .......... 62
Add-on
Electrical Equipment
..... 196
Adjustable Steering Column
...... 53
Audio Systems ................. 87
Audio Systems. Comfort
Controls and
................. 83
Automatic
Freewheeling Hubs
........... 47
Transmission
................ 42
Transmission Fluid ............ 167
Axle. Front
.................... 170
Axle
. Rear .................... 169
Babies. Smaller Children
and (Safety Belts)
............. 26
Balance. Wheel Alignment
and Tire
.................... 187
Battery
....................... 176
BBB Auto Line
- Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program. GM
Participation
in ............. 235
Before Leaving
on a Long Trip .... 120
Belt. Lap-Shoulder .............. 20
Bi-Level ...................... 84
Bin. Coinholder and ............. 61
Bins. Instrument Panel ........... 61
Blizzard. If You’re Caught in a ... 124
Box. Glove
.................... 60
Brakes
Adjustment
.................. 176
Anti-Lock (ABS)
............. 103
Fluid ....................... 1 74
Master Cylinder
.......... 174
Parking
......... 48 Brakes
Pedal Travel
................. i76
System Parts. Replacing ........ 176
System Warning Light
......... 69
Trailer ...................... i27
Wear ...................... 175
Braking (Control of
a Vehicle) ..... 102
Braking
in Emergencies .......... 104
“Break.In. .. New Vehicle ........ 39
Bright Metal Parts. Protecting
Exterior
.................... 192
Brightness Control
.............. 57
Bulb Replacement .............. 177
Stoplight .................. 181
Headlights .................. 177
Rear Combination
............ 180
Rear Sidemarker
.............. 179
Sidemarker ......... . .179
Bulbs. Halogen
............... 177
Bulbs. Replacement
............. 199
Canadian Roadside Assistance ... 237
Canvas Top
Preparing for Storage
.......... 80
Special Care for
.............. 193
Capacities and Specifications
...... 200
Carbon Monoxide .............. 51
Center High-Mounted
Front Parking and Turn Signal
... 178
Removing and Installing Your
... 76
243 ...
ProCarManuals.com