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Fuel
NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service work without
knowing enough about it, your vehicle could be
damaged.
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 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
87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 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 pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
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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
15% 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 system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t be
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.
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Fuels in Foreign Countries
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).
Filling Your Tank
- ~~~
The cap is behind a hinged door on the passenger’s side
of your vehicle.
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American
Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
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Engine Oil
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.
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.
t
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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 to 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.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle,
as shown in the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE. __ ~ ~ .~
HOT
WEATHER --
+ 80
+ 60
t 20
-. -. ./ \.. ~ ,.,’ ,
COLD
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
SAE ZW-30 PREFERRED
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
6-14
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Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label which is on the
driver’s door shows the correct inflation pressures for
your tires, when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than
a mile.
I
’ NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underidation or
~ overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires don’t
~ have enough air (underinflation) you can get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get:
Unusual wear
0 Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards. When to Check
Check your
tires once a month or more. Also, check the
tire pressure of
the spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. Simply looking at the tires will
not tell you the
pressure, especially if you have radial tires
-- which
may look properly inflated even
if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back on.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km) for any signs of unusual wear. If
unusual wear is present, rotate your tires as
soon as
possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels. See “When It’s Time for New
Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information.
The purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in
the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
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Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from
the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect
in the paint job causes this, Geo will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces
of new
vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first.
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7 8
9
10 11
12
13
14 Lighter;
Radio
Ignition System; Warning and Indicator Lights
Turn Signal Lamps; Back-up Lamps
WiperNasher
Rear Defogger
Heater
Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Main Relay
Electronic Fuel Injection Main Relay Replacement Bulbs
Back-up .................................... 1156
Center High-Mounted Stop
...................... 921
Dome
............ GM Part No. 9605 1559 or equivalent
Front Parking and Turn Signal
............... 1157 NA
Headlamp (Halogen) .......................... 9004
GM Part
No. 944173 1 or equivalent
GM Part
No. 96052599 or equivalent
Heater
or Air
Conditioning Control ...................
Indicator and Warning
Brake
........... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
Check Engine
..... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
4WD ........... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
................ GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
Safety Belt
....... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
Turn Signal
...... GM Part No. 9433 184 or equivalent
Charging System
. . GM Part No. 9433184
or equivalent
Engine Oil Pressure GM Part
No. 9433184 or equivalent
Headlamp High Beam
Instrument Cluster GM Part
No. 9605 1561 or equivalent
6-63
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