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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.
Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
Some states and provinces have restrictions on the purchase of diesel fuel
for light-duty vehicles and require you
to buy permits or pay special taxes.
Some
of these restrictions apply only to residents, and others apply to both
residents and visitors. These restrictions can change.
To learn the current
restrictions
in any state or province, contact your auto club, the police or
other officials.
Fuel Requirements
NOTICE:
Diesel fuel or fuel additives not recommended in this manual
could damage your fuel system and engine. Your warranty
wouldn’t cover this damage. And:
Diesel fuel that has been mixed with engine oil could damage
your engine and emission controls.
Always check with your
service station operator to make sure his diesel fuel has not \
been mixed with engine oil.
If you ever run out of diesel fuel, it can be difficult to restart
your engine. “Running Out
of Fuel,” later in this section, tells
you how to get it started again.
To avoid all this, try never to
let your tank get empty.
What Fuel to Use
For best results, use Number 2-D diesel fuel year-round (above and below
freezing conditions) as
oil companies blend Number 2-D fuel to address
climate differences. Number 1-D diesel fuel may be used
in very cold
temperatures (when it stays below
0°F or -1 8°C); however, it will produce
a power and fuel economy
loss. The use of Number 1-D diesel fuel in warm
or hot climates may result in stalling, poor starting when the engine
is hot
and may damage the fuel injection system.
Diesel fuel may foam when you fill your tank. This can cause the automatic
pump nozzle
to shut off, even though your tank isn’t full. If this happens,
just wait for the foaming
to stop and then continue to fill your tank.
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If this happens, a WATER IN FUEL light will come
water must be drained. Your Cfpder can show you
hc
I
WATER
IN
FUEL
If the light comes on at any other time, use this chart.
! on. If it does, the excess
3w to do this.
This light
also should
come
on briefly when
you start your engine,
as a check. If it
doesn’t, have it fixed
so it will be there to
let you know if you
ever do get water
in
your fuel.
NOTICE:
If you drive when this warning light is on, you can damage your \
fuel injection system and your engine. If the light comes on \
right
after you refuel,
it means water was pumped into your fuel tank.
Turn off your engine immediately. Then, have the water drained \
at once.
“WATER IN FUEL” LIGHT CHART Problem
Light comes on intermittently.
Light stays on:
Recommended Action
Drain water from fuel filter.
1. At temperatures above freezing. Drain fuel filter immediately. If no
water can be drained and light stays
on, see your dealer for assistance.
2. At temperatures below freezing. Drain fuel filter immediately. If no
water can be drained-water may
be frozen. Open the air bleed valve
to check for fuel pressure. If
no fuel
pressure is present, replace the fuel
filter.
3. Immediately after refueling -
large amount of water possibly
pumped into fuel tank. Fuel tank
purging required. See
your dealer for assistance.
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4. Lift the element
out
of the filter
head.
5. If there is any dirt
on the element
sealing surface
of
the filter head,
clean
it off.
6. Line up the
widest slot
in the
top
of the new
element with the
widest key on
then top of the
filter head. Push
the element
in
until the mating
surfaces touch.
7. Replace and tighten the ring nut to the top of'the filter head
8. With the air bleed valve open, turn your ignition key to START for 10
to 15 seconds, Wait one minute for your starter to cool. Do this until
you can see clear fuel coming from the air bleed valve.
9. Close the air bleed valve and replace the fuel cap.
10. Start your engine and let it idle for five minutes. Check your fuel filter
and air bleed valve for leaks.
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Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline
Engines)
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
LIH 8P7
Filling Your Tank
The fuel cap is behind
a hinged door on the
left side of your
vehicle.
A CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns violently, and that
can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near gasol\
ine
or refueling your vehicle.
Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
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Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle inside
the vehicle.
Then go to the front
of
the vehicle and pull up
on the secondary hood
release, located just
to
the passenger side of
the center
of the grill.
Lift the hood.
Your vehicle, if it has
air conditioning, may
have
a auxiliary
engine fan in addition
to the belt driven fan.
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Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly. Pull down
the hood and close it firmly.
Cleaning Your Diesel Engine
NOTICE:
If you spray or pour water or any other liquid on your engine
when it is warm or hot, or when
it is running, you could cause
serious damage
to it. If you ever clean the engine, clean it only
when it
is cold.
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engines)
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil 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.
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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.
To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This part 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 upper mark that shows the proper
operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
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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 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.
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.
r 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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