Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If your engine catches fire because you keep driving with no
coolant, your vehicle can be badly damaged. The costly repairs \
would not be covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades’’ in the Index.
If you get the overheat warning with
no sign of steam, try this for a minute
or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the
window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving
- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0) or
DRIVE
(D) for automatic transmissions.
If
you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower for about
ten minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, push
the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the engine speed back to
normal idle speed after two or three minutes. Now see
if the warning stops.
But then, if
you still have the warning, turn ofSthe engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.
5-11
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 ADD, 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.)
I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiat\
or,
heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant.
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 section
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 part devoted to its appearance care.
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:
Doing 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.
6-1
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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:
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about it, your vehicle could be damaged.
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 9 1 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
United States 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 United States 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 91 for premium, 89 for middle grade
and 87 for regular. If the octane
is less than 87, you may get a heavy
6-2
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 1 5%
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 b\
e
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.
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.
6-3
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Four-wheel Drive Remote Oil Filter
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you will have a remote oil filter. There
is a special access door in the steering linkage shield assembly located under
the radiator support. Twist the screw to lock or unlock the door.
Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather,
0°F (-1 8 O 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.
Air Cleaner
To remove the round air cleaner filter for the 4.3L (VIN 2) engine, turn the
wing nuts counterclockwise. 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.
= To avoid ingesting
dust in the engine, the
arrow on the air
cleaner lid should
point
to the front of
the engine.
6- 12
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To remove the rectangular air cleaner filter for the 4.3L (VIN W) engine,
open both clamps and push the rear of the air cleaner back toward the rear
of the engine compartment 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. On the
4.3L (VIN W) engine, also make certain that 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.
I 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 drivin\
g.
6- 13
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 your 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.
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 parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
0 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 krn) when outside temperatures are above 50°F ( 1 0°C).
If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C), drive the vehicle in THIRD GEAR (D) until
the engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the hot check procedures.
6- 14