Page 257 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Chevrolet” in the Index.
When you
put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off
or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not
fit and your fuel tank
and emissions system might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
I A CAUTIC 1: I
-
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
6-6
Page 258 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle inside the lower
left side
of your vehicle.
n 1
J .-
Then go to the front of the ve.hicle and pull up on the
hood release located at the center area
of the hood.
Lift the hood.
6-7
Page 259 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you open the hood of the 3800 L36 (Code K) you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Oil Fill Cap
D. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (Option)
E. Engine Fan
F. Windshield Washer Reservoir
G. Power Steering Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
K. Air Cleaner
(if equipped)
6-8
Page 260 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you open the hood of the 5.7L LT1 (Code P) you'll "ee:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Power Steering Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Battery
.. .
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (Option)
G. Fan
H. Windshield Washer Reservoir
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
K. Air Cleaner
6-9
Page 261 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on. Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
LOW
OIL
If the LOW OIL light on the
instrument panel comes on,
it means you need to check
your engine oil level right
away. For more information,
see “Low Oil Light” in the
Index.
You should check
your engine oil level
regularly; this is an
added reminder.
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the back
of the engine.
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.
3800 L36 (Code K) Oil Dipstick
6-10
Page 262 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5.7L LT1 (Code P) Oil Dipstick
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.
Checking 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, and check the level.
I
3800 L36 (Code K)
I ~~~ I
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
6- 1
Page 263 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that
shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
The oil fill cap is located on the valve cover near the
oil dipstick.
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 recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
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
.. --v- I gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, .as shown in the following chart:
6-12
F
Page 264 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I 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
I
I LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL ~
SAE 1OW-30
‘-30 REO
COLD
WEATHER
I
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
As shown in the chart, unless you have the 3.8L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-lS°C) or
above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such
as SAE 20W-50.
6-13