1994 GMC SIERRA oil level

The engine oil filler
cap is located on
the
driver’s side engine
valve cover.
Just
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back
in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst” symbol. The “starburst” symbol
indicates that
the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute
(API), and
is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
YOU should look for this on the front of the oil container, and use only oils
that display this new symbol.
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If you cannot find oils with the new “starburst” symbol on the front of the
container,
you should look for and use oils containing the following three
things:
SHor SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such as “SH/CD,” “SH,SG,CD,”
“SG/CD,” etc. These letters show American Petroleum Institute (API)
levels of quality.
0 SAE 5W-30 -Vehicles with Light Duty Emissions (SSOO GVWR or
less) OR
SAE 1 OW-30 -Vehicles with Heavy Duty Emissions (850 1 GVWR or
more).
0 Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included
in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol)
on most containers. If you cannot find oils with the “starburst” symbol, you
should look for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol, containing the three
things noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either the “starburst” symbol or
an
API SH or SG designation, you can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
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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 t.o 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.
Engine Oil (Diesel Engines)
It's a good idea to check your engine oil level every time you get fuel. In
order
to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must
be
on level ground.
Turn off
the engine
and give the oil
a few
minutes to drain back
into
the oil pan. If you
don't, the
oil dipstick
might
not show-the
actual
level.
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To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind
of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the proper operating range, your engine
could be damaged.
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The engine oil filler
cap
is located on a
filler tube at the front
of the engine.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range.
Push
the dipstick all the way back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Look for these two things:
CF4SH
CF4SH is the best oil for your vehicle. However, if you can not find
CF4/SH oil, you may use CF-4/SG or CE/SH or CE/SG oil.
These may be listed
as shown or in reverse order, for example SHEF-4.
Other letters may also be listed, such as SH/CD, CE, CF-4. These letters
show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels of quality.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that don’t have these designations, you can cause
engine damage which
is not covered by your warranty.
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.-. -1 To remove the air
cleaner filter on
a gas
engine or a 6.5 liter
naturally aspirated
diesel,
turn the wing
nuts to the left.
Remove the cover and
change the filter.
Then, unhook the
cover retaining clips
and push the rear
of
the cover toward the
engine.
Automatic Transmission Nuid
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 SLIK to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
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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 tluid, generally less than a pint. Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON@-111 or DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON@-Ill 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 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 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.
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.
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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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