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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 ‘bStarburst” 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.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown
in the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTV GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
I-.
SAE lunl-30 PREFERRED
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
I
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As shown in the chart, SAE 10W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE SW-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60°F (16°C) before your next oil
change. When it‘s very cold. you should use
SAE
SW-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such
X SAE 2OW-SO.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the proper oil
can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Aurora retailer is
ready
to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to I0 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop and go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If any one of-. these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first. (See
“Change Oil Message”
in the Index.) If the CHANGE
OIL NOW message appears in the Driver Information
Center,
you should change your oil.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles
( 12 SO0 km) or 12 months -- whichever
colnes first. (See “Change Oil Message’‘
in the Index.)
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change.
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Page 244 of 372

Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have
to park outside
in very cold weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or
colder.
If your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
Air Cleaner
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 retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
To Check or Replace the Air Filter
1. Remove hose (A) from resonator channel.
2. Release tension of the wing screw clamp (B) on the
air intake duct where
it attaches to the air cleaner
cover near the top of
the engine. Just turn the wing
screw counterclockwise, then detach the duct from
the air cleaner cover.
3. Push the duct and resonator assembly (C) rearward
and up, and hold out of the way.
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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 driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle 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 Aurora Retail Facility
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
transaxle.
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
transaxle fluid.
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Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Aurora will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C)
0 Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half c.lt.crr~ wwtor (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification 182S-M,” which won‘t damage aluminum
parts.
You call also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M
with a complete coolant tlush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any cotnplete coolant flush and refill. If you use
this mixture, you don‘t need to add anything else.
A
special procedure is required for adding sealer; see the
ALI~o~~ Service Manual. (To order a service 1nanual. see
”Service Publications“
in the Index.)
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should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or
won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’
your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a
leak. If you add fluid when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much fluid when you get new brake
linings.
You should add (or remove) brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls
to a low level, your brake
warning light
will come on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive
with this warning light on. See “Brake
System Warning Light”
in the Index. What to
Add
When
you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
I 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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Capacities and Specifications
Automatic Transaxle (Overdrive)
Wlwn cllvrinirlg or seplcrcing tol-q~te convertel; more jlllicl n~tr~‘ bo rwederl.
Pan Removal and Replacement ................................ 6.5 quarts 6.0 L
After Complete Overhaul ..................................... I 1 quarts 10.5 L
Coolingsystem .............................................. 13 quarts 12.0 L
Refrigerant (R=134a), Air Conditioning ......................... 2.0 pounds 0.9 kg
Not trll uir conditionirlg r.efi.igel-crnts are the smw. If the nir conditiorrillg sj-steul in ~olrr vehicle Ileocls wfi-igesmt, he s1r1-e tho
proper r.cfi-igercult is used. If you ’re not ~111-e. trsk yolrr Ausoln t-etllilel: For c-tdclitionrrl i~~/i~mt~tion, .we jwrr Wirrrtrnt?* trrd
Owrwr Assistmcp Ir4fC)rmution” hooklet.
Enginecrankcase ........................................... 7 c]llasts 6.6 L
When chcmgir~g~fi’ltet; up to 0.5 qlrcu-t (0.5 liter) more oil mry be t1cecltd
FuelTank .................................................. 19.4 gallons 73.4 L
Windshield Washer Fluid Tanks ................................ 3.8 quarts 3.6 L
Power Steering
PumpOnly ................................................ 1 pint 0.5 L
Complete System ........................................... 1.5 pints 0.7 L
Tire Pressures, Sizes .......................................... See Tire-Loading Information label on driver’s
door.
Wheel Nut Torque ........................................... 100 pound-feet 140 Nom
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level as recommended in this
manual.
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Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code ............................... C
Type
........................................ V8
Displacement.
............................ 4.0 Liters
Compression
Ratio ........................... 10.3: 1
Firing Order ....................... 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8
Thermostat Temperature Specification
.... 180°F (82°C)
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element ............... AC Type A- 1096C
Engine Oil Filter
..................... AC Type PF-58
PCV Valve ...................... AC Type CV-744C
Remote Lock Control Battery (2) Duracell@ type DL-2016
Spark Plugs ...................... AC Type 04 1-900
Gap: 0.050 inch ( 1.52 mm)
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