1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Owners Manual

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 dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
Engine Oil (Diesel Engines)
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.
r 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.
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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.
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.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the proper operating range, your engine
could be damaged.
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The engine oil filler cap is located on a filler tube at the front of the engine.
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.
Whaf Kind of Oil to Use
Look for these two things:
CF-LC/SH
CF-4/SH is the best oil for your vehicle. However, if you can not find
CF-4/SH oil, you may use CF-4/SG or CE/SH or CE/SG oil.
These may be listed as shown or in reverse order, for example
SHKF-4. Other letters may also be listed, such as SH/CD, CE, CF-4.
These letters show American Petroleum Institute
(API) levels of
quality.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that don’t have these designations, you can cause
engine damage which is not covered
by your warranty.
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DIESEL ENGINES
I RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY 6RADE ENGINE OILS
SELECT THE SAE ORADE OIL BASED ON
THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE
BEFORE NEXT 011 CHANGE
HOT
WEATHER
/OF c
+ 100
+BO - -
+32 --
0 -9
-20 -
+ 38
+ 18
SAE 15W-40
PREFERRED
above 0°F (- 1 8°C)
SA€ 1 OW-30
- SA€ I 30
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
SAE 15W-40
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 15W-40 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it's going to be colder than
32°F (0OC) before your next oil change. When it's very cold, below
0°F (-1 8OC), you should use SAE 1 OW-30 to improve cold starting.
Also, SAE 30 may be used at temperatures above freezing, 32°F (OOC).
These numbers on the oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do
not use other viscosity oils such as SAE IOW-40 or SAE 2OW-50.
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This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil containers to help
you select the correct oil.
You should
look for this on the oil container, and use only those oils that
display the logo.
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 GM dealer 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:
Most trips are less than 5 to I0 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly
important when outside temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop and
go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or off-road frequently.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle.
If any of
these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil and
filter every
2,500 miles (4 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes first.
If
none of them is true, change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles (8 000
km) or I2 months - whichever comes first.
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. Wdsh 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 dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
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Air Cleaner
To avoid the possibility of un-filtered air being drawn into the engine, make
sure the air cleaner cover
is on straight and the wing nuts are properly
tightened.
If there is an arrow on the air cleaner cover, it should point to the
front
of the engine.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to replace the air
fi 1 ter.
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.
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To remove the air cleaner filter on a gasoline engine or a 6.5 liter naturally
aspirated diesel engine, turn the wing nuts
to the left. Remove the cover and
change
the filter.
To remove the air cleaner filter on a 6.5 liter turbocharged diesel engine,
first remove the rubber elbow. Remember to observe the caution about
turbocharger blades
on the rubber elbow.
Then, unhook the cover retaining clips
and push the rear
of
the cover toward the
engine.
Automatic Transmission Nuid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission 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 GM dealer 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.
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C j,
At high speed for quite a while.
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).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (1 0°C).
If it's colder than 50°F (10"C), drive
the vehicle in DRIVE (D) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the
hot check procedures.
To check 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 (IO'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.
lo check the fluid hot or cold
0 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.
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