
When the engine 
compartment  is 
hot,  the level 
should  be  at the 
FULL mark. 
When the  engine 
compartment 
is 
cool, the  level 
should  be  at the 
FULL  COLD 
mark. 
What to Add 
Refer  to the Maintenance  Schedule to determine  what  kind of fluid to use. 
See  “Recommended  Fluids and Lubricants” 
in the Index. 
NOTICE: 
When  adding  power  steering  fluid or making  a complete  fluid 
change,  always  use  the  proper  fluid.  Failure 
to use  the  proper 
fluid  can  cause  leaks  and  damage  hoses  and  seals. 
Hydro-Boost  Brake  System (Hydraulic Pump) 
The power steering pump  is also  used as the Hyrdo-boost  pump. Refer to 
“Power  Steering  System” 
in this section  when checking fluid  level or 
adding  tluid. 
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Brakes 
Brake Master Cylinder 
Your brake master 
cylinder  is here. It  is 
filled  with 
DOT-3 
brake fluid. 
There  are only  two reasons 
why the brake fluid  level in your master  cylinder 
might 
go down, The first is that the brake fluid goes down  to an acceptable 
level  during  normal brake lining wear.  When  new linings are put  in, the 
fluid  level goes  back up. The  other  reason is  that fluid is leaking 
out of the 
brake  system. 
If it is,  you  should have your  brake system  fixed, since a leak 
means  that sooner  or  later your brakes 
won’t work well, or won’t work  at 
all. 
So, it isn’t  a good  idea to “top off’ your brake fluid. Adding  brake  fluid 
won’t  correct  a  leak. 
If you add fluid  when your linings  are worn, then 
you’ll  have 
too much  fluid when you get new  brake linings.  You should  add 
(or  remove)  brake fluid, 
as necessary, only  when work is done on the brake 
hydraulic  system. 
Refer 
to the Maintenance  Schedule  to  determine  when to check your brake 
fluid.  See “Periodic Maintenance  Inspections” 
in the Index. 
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To Check  Brake Fluid 
You can  check  the 
brake  fluid  without 
taking  off  the  cap.  Just 
look  at  the windows 
on  the  brake  fluid 
reservoir.  The fluid 
levels  should  be  above 
“MIN.” If they  aren’t, 
have  your  brake  system  checked  to  see 
if  there  is  a  leak. 
After  work 
is done  on  the  brake  hydraulic  system,  make  sure  the  levels  are 
above 
“MIN” and  below  the top  of each  window. 
What to Add 
When  you do need  brake  fluid, use  only  DOT-3  brake  fluid - such  as 
Delco  Supreme 
ll@ (GM Part No.1052535).  Use  new  brake  fluid  from a 
sealed  container  only,  and  always  clean  the  brake  fluid  reservo\
ir  cap  before 
removing  it. 
NOTICE: 
Don’t let  someone  put  in  the wrong kind of fluid.  For 
example,  just 
a few drops  of mineral-based  oil,  such as engine 
oil, in  your  brake  system  can damage  brake system  parts so 
badly that they’ll  have to  be  replaced. 
Brake fluid can damage paint, so be careful not  to  spill brake 
fluid 
on your  vehicle. If you  do,  wash it off immediately.  See 
“Appearance Care”  in  the Index. 
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Brake  Adjustment 
Every time you make  a  brake stop, your disc brakes  adjust  for wear. 
If your brake pedal  goes  down  farther  than normal, your rear drum  brakes 
may  need  adjustment.  Adjust them  by backing  up and  firmly  applying 
the 
brakes  a few times. 
Replacing  Brake  System  Parts 
The braking  system  on a modern  vehicle is complex.  Its many  parts have to 
be  of  top quality  and  work  well together if the vehicle is to have really good 
braking.  Vehicles  we  design  and test have  top-quality 
GM brake parts in 
them, as your vehicle  does when it is  new.  When you replace  parts of your 
braking  system 
- for  example,  when your brake  linings wear down and 
you  have to  have new ones  put 
in - be sure  you get new  genuine GM 
replacement  parts. If you don’t, your brakes  may  no longer work properly. 
For  example, 
if someone  puts in brake  linings that  are wrong  for your 
vehicle, the  balance between  your  front and rear brakes can  change,  for 
the 
worse. The braking  performance  you’ve come to expect  can  change in many 
other  ways  if someone  puts in the wrong  replacement  brake  parts. 
Other  Maintenance  Hems 
Front  Suspension  and  Steering  Linkage 
Your maintenance  schedule will tell you  how  often to lubricate  the fittings. 
See  “Recommended  Fluids  and Lubricants” 
in the Index  for the proper 
lubricant to use. 
Front  Wheel  Bearings 
Your  vehicle has  front wheel bearings  that must  be cleaned  and repacked. 
Your  maintenance  schedule 
will tell you how often this must be  done. 
Front  Shock  Absorbers 
The  front  shock  absorbers  of your vehicle do  many  things.  They  help the 
vehicle ride  smoothly and also control 
the travel of the  suspension  system. 
When the  shock  absorbers  are  serviced,  any replacement  shock absorbers 
must  be 
the same as the original  equipment  shock absorbers in both 
extended  length and strength. 
NOTICE: 
If you  use  shock  absorbers  that  are  not  the  same  as the  original 
shock  absorbers,  the  shock  absorbers 
or suspension  system 
could  be  damaged. 
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Explanation Of Scheduled  Mainienance  Services 
Below are explanations of the  services  listed in the maintenance charts. 
The  proper fluids and lubricants  to use  are listed  in this  section.  Make  sure 
whoever  services your vehicle uses these.  All parts  should be replaced and 
all necessary repairs  done  before you or  anyone  else  drives  the vehicle. 
1. ENGINE  OIL AND OIL FILTER  CHANGE“‘ - ALWAYS USE 
SJ3 ENERGY  CONSERVING I1 (GASOLINE  ENGINE) OR CF-4/SH 
(DIESEL  ENGINE)  QUALITY  OILS 
OF THE PROPER VISCOSITY. 
To  determine the preferred viscosity  oil for your vehicle’s  engine (e.g. 
SAE  5W-30  or 10W-30),  see “Engine Oil” 
in the Index. 
2. CHASSIS LUBRICATION - Lubricate  the front suspension, king 
pin bushings,  steering linkage, transmission, and  transfer  case shift 
linkage,  parking brake  cable guides, rear driveline center  splines and 
front  axle  propshaft  splines, brake pedal springs, and clutch pedal 
springs  at the intervals  specified. 
If  you  have a  3500 
HD, lubricate the king pins and king  pin bushings, 
every 
1,500 miles (2500 km)  for Maintenance  Schedule I, or every 
3,000 (5000 km)  for  Maintenance  Schedule 11. 
Ball joints  and king  pin bushings should  not be lubricated unless their 
temperature 
is 10” F (-12”C), or  higher.  When the weather is cold,  let 
them  warm  up  before lubrication  or 
they could be damaged. 
Also,  be  sure 
to check all the vehicle fluid levels  at this time. 
3. 
CLUTCH FORK BALL  STUD LUBRICATION (5-SPEED 
MANUAL  TRANSMISSION WITH  DEEP LOW 
) - Lubricate the 
clutch  fork ball stud through  the fitting 
on the clutch housing. 
Lubricant  must be added “sparingly” to 
the fitting, as only .0066 lb. 
(.003 kg) is required  to lubricate the  ball stud  surface. Do not add 
lubricant  more often than the intervals 
in the Maintenance  Charts. Too 
much  lubricant will damage  the  clutch  assembly. 
4. COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE”’? - Drain, flush and refill system 
with new  coolant.  See  “Engine Coolant”  in the Index  for 
the proper 
coolant  and mixture  to use 
in your vehicle. 
Also  inspect the hoses and replace them 
if they are cracked,  swollen, or 
deteriorated. Tighten all hose  clamps (except constant tension  clamps). 
Remove  debris  and clean the outside of the  radiator and  air 
conditioning  condenser. Wash the radiator neck. 
To ensure proper 
operation,  pressure test. 
the radiator and cap. 
* An Emission Control Service 
?A  fluid 
loss in these  systems  may indicate  a problem. Have them 
inspected and repaired at  once. 
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5. AIR  CLEANER  FILTER  REPLACEMENT* - Replace  at every 
30,000 miles (50 000 km)  or more often  under dusty  conditions. Ask 
your  dealer  for  the proper  replacement  intervals  for your  driving 
conditions. 
6. FRONT  WHEEL  BEARING  REPACK  (2-WHEEL  DRIVE 
ONLY) 
- Clean  and repack  the  front wheel bearings  at  each brake 
relining,  or  at 
the specified  interval,  whichever  comes  first. 
7. TRANSMISSION  SERVICE’/- 
Automatic Transmission 
- Change the transmission  fluid and filter 
every 
15,000 miles (25 000 km)  for  vehicles under  8,600  GVWR or 
every  12,000  miles 
(20 000 km) for vehicles  over  8,600  GVWR if the 
vehicle  is mainly driven  under  one  or more 
of these  conditions: 
In heavy  city traffic. 
0 Where  the outside  temperature  regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or 
0 In hilly or mountainous  terrain. 
higher. 
Frequent 
trailer pulling. 
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)  for vehicles under 
8,600 
GVWR or  every 24,000 miles (40 000 km)  for  vehicles  over 
8,600  GVWR  see  “Automatic  Transmission  Fluid” 
in the Index for 
more  information. 
Manual  Transmission - Transmission  fluid  does not require  periodic 
changing. 
8. CDRV  SYSTEM  INSPECTION* - Check the Crankcase 
Depression  Regulator Valve System  for  any worn, plugged  or collapsed 
hoses. Have  the  system checked as described  in the  Service  Manual. 
9. FUEL  FILTER  REPLACEMENT*$ - Replace  the  fuel filter at the 
specified  interval or sooner  if clogged. 
?A  fluid loss 
in these  systems  may indicate  a  problem.  Have them 
inspected and repaired  at  once. 
:i: An Emission Control  Service 
$The  California  Air  Resources  Board  bas determined  that the  failure  to 
perform  this  maintenance  item will not 
nullify the emission  warranty  or 
limit recall  liability  prior  to the  completion 
of the vehicle useful life. 
General  Motors, however,  urges that  all recommended  maintenance 
services  be  performed  at the  indicated intervals and the  maintenance be 
recorded. 
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24. DRIVE AXLE SERVICE? - Check readfront  axle  fluid level and 
add 
as needed. Check constant velocity  joints and axle  seals for 
leaking. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Locking  differential - Drain fluid at first  oil change  and refill. 
Check fluid level and add 
as needed at subsequent oil  changes. In 
dusty areas,  or trailer towing applications drain fluid at every 
15,000 miles  (24 135 kilometers) and refill. 
Standard  differential - Check  fluid level and add as needed at 
every 
oil change.  In dusty areas,  or trailer towing applications, 
drain  fluid every 
15,000 miles  (24 I35 kilometers)  and refill. 
More  frequent  lubrication  may  be required  on  heavy-duty  or 
off-road  use. 
3500 HD Models - 3500 HD Models with applications requiring 
extreme  overload/trdiler  tow conditions 
and high  speed  conditions 
(above  45  mph (72 
kdh)) for extended periods of time must 
change  drive  axle  fluid every 
3,000 miles (4828 kilometers) or 3 
months, whichever  comes first, OR must use  75W-140  synthetic 
fluid  meeting 
GM specifications.  See “Recommended Fluids and 
Lubricants”  at the  end  of this section  for the proper fluid to use. 
25. 
BRAKE SYSTEM  INSPECTION-f - When the engine  oil is 
changed,  inspect the lines and hoses  for proper hookup, binding, leaks, 
cracks,  chafing,  etc.  Check the parking brake adjust, and the fluid level 
in the master cylinder. A low  fluid level can  indicate worn disc brake 
pads  which  may  need 
to be  serviced. 
When the wheels are removed  for rotation, inspect  disc brake  pads  for 
wear and rotors  for  surfxe condition. Also inspect drum brake  linings 
for  wear and cracks. Inspect  other brake parts, including  drums, wheel 
cylinders,  parking brake, etc., at the  same  time. Remove any 
rust or dirt 
from  the  wheel and mounting surfaces before mounting the wheel. 
Inspect  brakes  more  often  if  driving  habits or conditions  result  in 
frequent  braking. 
?A fluid loss  in these systems  may indicate a problem. Have them 
inspected and repaired  at  once. 
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Owner Checks and  Services 
Listed below are  owner  checks  and services which should  be made  at the 
time period  specified  to  help ensure  proper  safety, emission performance, 
and  dependability 
of your vehicle. 
Be  sure  any necessary  repairs  are  completed  at once. Whenever  any  fluids 
or  lubricants  are added  to your vehicle,  make  sure they are 
the proper  ones, 
as shown 
in this  Section. 
At  Least  Once a Month 
Tire  inflation  pressure  check - Check the tires for  proper  inflation. If 
they are low, inflate them to the level  specified on the  Certification/Tire 
label.  See  “Loading  Your  Vehicle”  or “Inflation-Tire  Pressure” 
in the  Index. 
At  Least  Once  a  Year 
Key  lock  cylinder  lubrication - Lubricate  key lock  cylinders  with engine 
oil.  See 
the “Recommended  Fluid and Lubricants”  chart in this section. 
Transmission  neutral  or clutch  start  switch  operation - 
1. Before  you start,  be  sure  you have  enough  room around the vehicle. 
2. Firmly apply both  the manual parking  brake and the  regular  brake. See 
“Brakes”  and “Parking  Brake” 
in the Index. Do not use the  accelerator 
pedal. 
3. Be ready  to turn off the  engine  immediately  if it starts. 
4. On  automatic  transmission  vehicles,  try to start the  engine in each gear. 
The  starter  should work only 
in “P’ (Park)  or “N” (Neutral). 
On  manual  transmission  vehicles,  put the shift  lever 
in “N” (Neutral), push 
the clutch down halfway, and try to start the engine. The  starter  should work 
only when the  clutch 
is pushed down  all  the way  to the floor. 
Steering  column  lock  operation - While  parked,  try to turn the key  to 
LOCK in each gear  shift position. 
With  an automatic  transmission,  the key should 
turn to LOCK only when 
the  gear  shift 
is in “P” (Park). 
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