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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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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
Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be identified by looking for
the “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.
If you change your own oil, be sure
you use oil that has the “Starburst”
symbol
on the front of the oil container. If you have your oil changed for
you, be sure the oil put into your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified
for gasoline engines.
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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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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 down.
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 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 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.
Whaf Kind of Oil to Use
Look for these two things:
CF-LC/SH
CF-4/SH is the best oil for your vehicle. However, if you can not find
CF-4/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
SHKF-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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To remove the air cleaner filter on a gasoline engine or a 6.5 liter naturally
aspirated diesel engine, turn the wing nuts
to the left. Remove the cover and
change
the filter.
To remove the air cleaner filter on a 6.5 liter turbocharged diesel engine,
first remove the rubber elbow. Remember to observe the caution about
turbocharger blades
on the rubber elbow.
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 your GM dealer 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.
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.
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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.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid HOT.
(A COLD check
is used
only as a reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the
proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a
hot check. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a
int. Don 7 overfill. We recommend
you
use only fluid labeled DEXRON -111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid
other than DEXRON@-111
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
8
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 Transmission 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 your
GM dealer Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
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.
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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