Page 272 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking  the Fluid Hot or Cold 
a 
a 
a 
a 
Park  your  vehicle  on  a  level  place. Keep the 
engine  running. 
With  the parking  brake  applied,  place the shift lever 
in  PARK  (P). 
With  your  foot  on 
the brake  pedal,  move  the  shift 
lever  through  each  gear  range,  pausing for  about 
three  seconds  in each  range.  Then,  position  the shift 
lever in 
PARK (P). 
Let  the engine  run at  idle  for  three  minutes  or  more.  Then, 
without  shutting  off the  engine,  follow  these steps: 
3800 L36  Engine  Transmission Dipstick 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3800 L36 Engine Transmission  Dipstick 
3. Check both  sides  of the dipstick,  and read  the  lower 
level.  The fluid  level  must be in the  COLD  area  for  a 
cold  check  or in the 
HOT area  or  cross-hatched  area 
for  a hot  check. 
4. If the  fluid  level  is in the acceptable  range,  push  the 
dipstick  back 
in all the  way. 
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 
pint 
(0.5 L). Don ’t 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-I11  is 
not 
covered by your new  vehicle warranty. 
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. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 difficult,  you may 
choose  to  have  this  done  at  your  Chevrolet  dealership 
Service  Department. 
If you do  it yourself, be  sure  to  follow  all  the 
instructions  here,  or you  could  get 
a false reading. 
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. 
Then,  follow  these  steps: 
1. Remove  the filler plug. 
2. Check that the lubricant level is up  to the bottom of 
the  filler  plug hole. 
3. If the  fluid  level is good,  install the plug and  be  sure 
it  is fully  seated. If the  fluid  level 
is low,  add more 
fluid 
as described in the next steps. 
How to Add Fluid 
Here’s how to add  fluid.  Refer to the Maintenance 
Schedule  to  determine  what kind of fluid to 
use. See 
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index. 
1. Remove  the filler  plug. 
2. Add fluid  at the  filler plug  hole. Add only enough 
fluid 
to bring the fluid  level up to the bottom  of the 
filler  plug hole. 
3. Install the  filler plug.  Be  sure  the plug is fully seated.   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 276 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hydraulic  Clutch 
The hydraulic  clutch  linkage  in your  vehicle  is 
self-adjusting.  The clutch  master  cylinder  reservoir  is 
filled  with  hydraulic  clutch  fluid. 
It  isn’t  a  good  idea  to  “top 
off’ your  clutch fluid. Adding 
fluid  won’t  correct  a  leak. 
A fluid  loss  in  this  system  could  indicate  a  problem. 
Have  the system  inspected  and  repaired. 
When  to  Check  and  What to Use 
Refer  to  the  Maintenance  Schedule  to  determine  how 
often  you  should  check  the 
fluid level  in  your  clutch  master  cylinder  reservoir  and 
for the  proper  fluid.  See 
“Owner  Checks  and  Services”  and  “Recommended 
Fluids  and  Lubricants”  in the  Index. 
How to Check 
The  proper  fluid  should  be  added’if the level  is  below 
the 
STEP mark on the  reservoir.  See  the instructions  on 
the  reservoir  cap. 
Rear  Axle 
When to  Check  and  Change  Lubricant 
Refer  to  the  Maintenance  Schedule  to  determine  how 
often  to  check  the  lubricant  and  when  to  change  it. See 
“Scheduled  Maintenance  Services”  in the  Index. 
How to  Check  Lubricant 
If the  level  is  below  the  bottom  of the  filler  plug  hole, 
you’11,need  to  add  some  lubricant.  Add  enough  lubricant 
to  raise  the  level  to  the bottom  of the  filler  plug  hole. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What  to Use 
Use a  mixture  of one-half clean water (preferably 
distilled)  and one-half 
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, 
silicate-free)  antifreeze  that meets 
GM Specification 
6277M, which won’t  damage  aluminum  parts. Use 
GM Engine  Coolant  Supplement  (sealer) (GM Part 
No. 3634621) with any  complete  coolant  change. If you 
use this  mixture, you don’t need to add anything  else. 
Adding only plain  water  to  your cooling  system 
can  be dangerous. Plain  water, or some  other 
liquid  like  alcohol,  can boil  before  the  proper 
coolant  mix  will.  Your  vehicle’s  coolant warning 
system  is set  for  the  proper  coolant mix. With 
plain  water  or the  wrong  mix,  your engine  could 
get  too  hot  but  you  wouldn’t  get  the overheat 
warning.  Your  engine  could  catch  fire  and you or 
others  could be  burned.  Use a 
50/50 mix  of clean 
water  and 
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, 
silicate-free) antifreeze. 
1 
NOTICE: 
I 
If you  use  an improper  coolant  mix,  your 
engine  could  overheat and be badly damaged. 
The  repair  cost  wouldn’t  be  covered  by  your 
warranty. 
Too much  water  in the mix can freeze 
and  crack  the engine,  radiator,  heater  core and 
other  parts. 
If  you  have to add coolant more than four  times  a year, 
have  your dealer  check  your  cooling  system. 
NOTICE: 
If you  use the proper  coolant,  you  don’t  have to 
add  extra  inhibitors or additives  which  claim  to 
improve  the system.  These  can be harmful. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking  Coolant 
When your engine  is cold,  check  the dipstick  on the  cap 
of the coolant recovery tank.  The coolant  level should 
be  at 
COLD, or a little  higher.  When your engine is 
warm, the level  on the dipstick should be 
up to HOT, or 
a little  higher. 
1 
If this light comes  on, it 
means you’re low  on 
5.7L LTl Engine Only 
Adding Coolant to e Recovery Tank 
If you need more coolant, add the  proper mix at the 
coolant recovery tank, but only when your  engine  is 
cool. 
If the tank  is  very low or empty, also add coolant 
to  the radiator.  See “Engine Overheating”  in the Index 
for information. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Thermostat 
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat 
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the 
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant 
reaches 
a preset temperature. 
When  you  replace your thermostat,  an 
AC@ thermostat 
is recommended. 
Power Steering Fluid 
3800 L36 Engine 
When to Check Power Steering Fluid 
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering 
fluid unless you  suspect there is a leak in the system  or 
you hear an unusual  noise. A fluid loss in this system 
could indicate 
a problem.  Have the system inspected 
and repaired. 
5.7L LT1 Ennine 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How To Check  Power  Steering  Fluid 
When the engine  compartment  is  cool,  unscrew the  cap 
and wipe the  dipstick with a clean  rag.  Replace  the cap 
and  completely  tighten it.  Then  remove  the cap  again 
and 
look at  the  fluid level  on the  dipstick. 
When  the engine  compartment  is  hot,  the level 
should be at the H or HOT mark. 
When  the engine  compartment  is  cool,  the level 
should  be at the 
C or  FULL COLD mark. 
What to Use 
Refer  to the  Maintenance  Schedule to determine  what 
kind 
of fluid  to use. See  “Recommended  Fluids  and 
Lubricants”  in the  Index.  Always  use the proper fluid. 
Failure  to use the  proper  fluid  can  cause  leaks  and 
damage  hoses  and seals. 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid 
What to Use 
When  you need windshield  washer  fluid,  be  sure to read 
the  manufacturer’s  instructions  before  use. 
If you will be 
operating  your  vehicle  in  an  area  where  the temperature 
may  fall below  freezing,  use a fluid that  has sufficient 
protection  against  freezing. 
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