
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Keep  your  vehicle  in  good  shape. Check all  fluid 
levels  and also  the brakes,  tires, cooling  system 
and 
transmission.  These  parts  can  work  hard  on 
mountain  roads. 
0 Know  how  to  go down hills. The most important 
thing  to  know  is  this:  let  your  engine do some 
of the 
slowing  down.  Shift 
to a lower  gear  when  you  go 
down  a steep  or  long  hill. 
If you don’t  shift  down,  your  brakes  could  get so 
hot  that  they  wouldn’t  work well.  You  would 
then  have  poor  braking  or  even  none  going 
down 
a hill. You could  crash.  Shift  down  to  let 
your  engine  assist  your  brakes  on  a  steep 
downhill  slope.  Coasting 
downhill in 
NEUTRAL (N) or with  the 
ignition 
off is dangerous.  Your brakes will have to 
do 
all the  work of slowing  down.  They could  get so 
hot that  they  wouldn’t  work well.  You  would then 
have  poor  braking  or  even none  going  down 
a hill. 
You could  crash.  Always  have your engine  running 
and  your  vehicle  in gear  when  you  go  downhill. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Know  how  to  go  uphill. You  may want to  shift  down 
to a lower  gear.  The  lower  gears  help  cool  your  engine 
and transmission, and you can climb  the  hill  better. 
Stay 
in your  own  lane when  driving  on two-lane 
roads  in hills  or mountains.  Don’t  swing  wide 
or cut 
across  the center 
of the road.  Drive  at  speeds  that  let 
you  stay  in  your  own  lane. 
As you  go  over  the  top  of  a hill,  be  alert.  There  could  be 
something 
in your  lane,  like  a stalled  car  or an accident. 
You  may  see  highway  signs  on  mountains  that 
warn of 
special  problems.  Examples  are  long  grades,  passing  or 
no-passing  zones,  a falling  rocks  area  or  winding 
roads.  Be  alert  to  these  and  take  appropriate  action. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When You Are  Ready to Leave  After 
Parking  on  a  Hill 
1.  Apply  your  regular  brakes  and  hold  the  pedal  down 
while 
you: 
Start  your engine; 
0 Shift  into a gear;  and 
0 Release  the  parking brake. 
2. Let up on the  brake  pedal. 
3. Drive  slowly  until  the  trailer  is  clear of the chocks. 
4. Stop and have someone  pick  up  and  store the chocks. 
Maintenance  When  Trailer  Towing 
Your  vehicle  will  need  service more often  when  you’re 
pulling  a trailer.  See the Maintenance Schedule for  more 
on this. Things  that  are  especially  important in trailer 
operation  are automatic  transmission  fluid  (don’t 
overfill),  engine oil, axle  lubricant,  belt, cooling system 
and  brake  adjustment.  Each 
of these  is  covered  in  this 
manual,  and  the  Index  will  help 
you find  them  quickly. 
If  you’re  trailering,  it’s 
a good idea to  review  these 
sections  before  you start  your  trip. 
Check  periodically  to  see that  all  hitch  nuts  and  bolts 
are  tight. 
Trailer  Wiring  Harness 
The  eight-wire  harness  is  stored  under  your  vehicle 
along 
the rear  frame  crossmember.  This harness  has a 
30-amp  feed  wire  with  an  inline fuse located  in  the 
instrument  panel  fuse block  and no  connector.  It  should 
be  wired  by  a qualified  electrical  technician.  The 
technician  can  use 
the following color code chart  when 
connecting  the  wiring  harness  to your  trailer. 
0 DARK BLUE: Use  for electric  trailer  brakes or 
0 RED: Use for battery  charging; it  connects to the 
LIGHT  GREEN: Back-up  lamps. 
0 BROWN: Taillamps  and  parking  lamps. 
0 YELLOW Left  stoplamp and  turn  signal. 
0 DARK  GREEN: Right stoplamp  and  turn  signal. 
0 WHITE  (Heavy  Gage): Ground  wire. 
0 WHITE (Light Gage): Auxiliary  stoplamp. 
Securely  attach  the  harness  to the trailer,  then  tape  or 
strap it  to your  vehicle’s  frame rail. Be sure 
you leave 
it  loose  enough 
so the  wiring  doesn’t  bend  or break, 
but  not  so 
loose that it drags on the ground.  Store the 
harness  in  its  original  place.  Wrap  the  harness  together 
and  tie 
it neatly so it  won’t  be  damaged. 
auxiliary  wiring. 
starter  solenoid. 
4-56   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic  Transmission Fluid 
When to Check and Change 
A good  time  to check your automatic  transmission  fluid 
level  is 
when the engine oil is changed. 
Change  both  the  fluid and filter  every 
50,000 miles 
(83 
000 km)  if the  vehicle  is  mainly  driven  under  one or 
more 
of these  conditions: 
In  heavy  city  traffic  where the outside  temperature 
regularly  reaches  90°F (32°C)  or higher. 
0 In  hilly  or mountainous  terrain. 
0 When  doing  frequent trailer towing. 
0 Uses such as found in taxi,  police  or delivery  service. 
If  you  do  not  use  your  vehicle  under  any  of  these 
conditions,  the fluid  and filter  do not  require changing. 
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’s 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. 
Wait at least  30  minutes  before checking  the 
transmission  fluid  level  if 
you have  been driving: 
When outside temperatures are  above 90°F (32°C). 
0 At high  speed  for quite a while. 
0 In  heavy  traffic -- especially in hot  weather. 
0 While  pulling a trailer. 
To get  the  right  reading, the  fluid  should  be  at  normal 
operating  temperature,  which  is  180°F to 
200°F 
(82°C to 93°C). 
6-16   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking  Transmission  Fluid  Hot 
Get the vehicle  warmed  up  by driving about  15  miles 
(24 km) when  outside temperatures  are above 50°F 
(10°C). If it's  colder  than 50°F ( lO"C), drive the 
vehicle  in DRIVE  (D) until the engine temperature gage 
moves  and  then  remains steady  for 
10 minutes. Then 
follow the  hot check procedures. 
Checking  Transmission  Fluid  Cold 
A cold check is made after the  vehicle  has  been sitting 
for eight  hours or more  with 
the engine  off  and  is  used 
only  as  a reference.  Let  the engine run  at idle for  five 
minutes  if outside temperatures are  50°F 
(10°C) or 
more.  If it's  colder  than 50°F 
(lO"C), you  may  have  to 
idle the  engine longer.  Should  the fluid level  be  low 
during  a cold check,  you 
must perform a hot  check 
before  adding  fluid. This will give  you a more accurate 
reading  of the fluid level. 
Checking  the  Fluid  Hot or Cold 
Park  your  vehicle  on a level  place. Keep the engine 
0 With  the parking  brake  applied, place  the  shift  lever 
running. 
in 
PARK  (P). 
0 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). 
0 Let  the  engine run at idle  for three  minutes  or more. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. 
Don’t over-ZZ. 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;  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’s 
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.   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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: 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. 
Hydraulic  Clutch - 
The hydraulic clutch system  in your  vehicle  is 
self-adjusting. 
A slight amount  of play (1/4 inch to 
1/2 inch or 6 mm  to 12  mm)  in the pedal  is normal. 
1. Remove the filler plug. 
2.  Check that the lubricant  level  is up to the bottom  of 
the  filler plug  hole.  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. 
6-20 I   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wheels and Tires 
Wheel Nut Torque . . . . . . . . . . . . 95  lb-ft (130 N-m) 
Tire  Pressure . . . . . . See  the  Certificatiod‘Tire  label. 
See  “Loading  Your Vehicle” 
in the  Index. 
Capacities  (Approximate) 
Cooling  System  Capacity* 
Engine  Transmission  Quantity 
2.2L  Auto./Manual 1 1.5  quarts (1 1 .O L) 
“VORTEC”  4300  Auto.  11.7quarts(11.1 
L) 
“VORTEC”  4300  Manual 
11.9quarts(11.3L) 
Crankcase  Capacity* 
Engine  Quantity  with  Filter 
2.2L 4.5  quarts  (4.3 L) 
“VORTEC”  4300 4.5 quarts (4.3 L) 
Automatic  Transmission  Capacity* 
Type  Quantity  (Drain  and  Refill) 
4L60E 5.0 quarts  (4.7 L) 
*After  refill, the  level must be checked. 
Differential  Fluid 
Axle  Quantity 
Rear 4.0 pints  (1.9 L) 
Front  2.6  pints  (1.2 L) 
Fuel  Tank  Capacity 
Type  Quantity 
Standard  Tank  19  gallons  (72 L) 
A/C  Refrigerant  Capacity 
Type  Quantity 
R- 134a  30 oz. or 2 lbs. (0.9 kg) 
Air Conditioning Refrigerants 
Not  all air  conditioning  refrigerants  are  the  same. 
If the air conditioning  system in your  vehicle  needs 
refrigerant,  be sure the  proper  refrigerant  is  used. 
If  you’re  not  sure,  ask  your  GM  dealer. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine At  Least Twice a Year 
Restraint  System  Check 
Make  sure the  safety  belt  reminder  light and all your 
belts,  buckles,  latch  plates,  retractors and anchorages are 
working  properly.  Look  for any other loose  or damaged 
safety  belt  system  parts.  If  you see anything  that  might 
keep  a  safety  belt  system  from doing its job,  have  it 
repaired.  Have  any  torn  or frayed  safety  belts  replaced. 
Also  look  for any opened  or broken  air bag  covers,  and 
have  them  repaired 
or replaced.  (The air bag  system 
does  not  need  regular  maintenance.) 
Manual  Transmission  Check 
Check  the  transmission  fluid  level;  add  if  needed.  See 
“Manual  Transmission”  in  the  Index.  A  fluid 
loss may 
indicate  a  problem.  Check  the  system  and  repair  if  needed. 
Automatic  Transmission  Check 
Check  the  transmission  fluid  level;  add  if  needed.  See 
“Automatic  Transmission”  in  the  Index. 
A fluid  loss  may 
indicate  a  problem.  Check  the  system  and  repair  if  needed. 
Hydraulic  Clutch  System  Check 
At Least  Four Times a Year 
Tailgate  Lubrication  Service 
Lubricate  tailgate  latch  bolt,  handle assembly  pivot 
points,  and  hinges  with  lubricant recommended  in 
Part 
D. Lubricate  every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) if 
following  schedule  I  or every 
7,500 miles (12 500 km) 
if  following  schedule 11. 
At Least Once a Year 
Key  Lock  Cylinders  Service 
Lubricate  the key  lock  cylinders  with the lubricant 
specified  in  Part 
D. 
Body  Lubrication  Service 
Lubricate  all  body  door and  fuel  door hinges,  latches 
and  locks  including the glove  box, console doors  and  the 
body  hood,  and  any  moving  seat hardware.  Lubricate 
the  hood  safety  lever  pivot  and  prop rod pivot.  Part 
D 
tells you what to use.  More  frequent lubrication  may be 
required  when  exposed to a corrosive  environment. 
Check the fluid  level  in  the clutch reservoir.  See 
“Hydraulic  Clutch  Fluid”  in  the  Index. 
A fluid loss  in 
this  system  could indicate  a  problem. Have the  system 
inspected  and  repaired  at  once. 
7-48