
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Pressure Gage
011 0-
The oil pressure gage shows
the engine oil pressure in
psi (pounds per square inch)
when the engine
is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate
the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a
dangerously low oil level or other ~roblems causing low
oil pressure.
A CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become
so hot that it
catches fire.
You or others could be burned.
Check your oil
as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want
to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well
in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer,
not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than
you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh -- such as after a day's
work -- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journcv. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained,
it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts
in GM
dealerships all across North America. They'll be ready
and willing to help if
you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lurrzps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are
the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure'?
Weather For-ecvrsts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should
you delay your trip a short
time to avoid
a major storm system?
0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps'!
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear byfilw you start
down
a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down. you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade. shift down and reduce your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
if
you have an automatic transmission. you should use
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle in DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life
of your
transmission. Or.
if you have a manual transmission. it's
better not to use
FIFTH (5 j gear. just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or. as you need to. a lower gear). When
towing
at high altitude on steep uphill grades.
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes.
If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this. let the
engine
run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or the
rnanual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see "Engine
Overheating"
in the Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle. with a trailer
attached.
on ;I hill. If something goes wrong, your ris
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
4-52

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven‘t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn‘t at the ADD mark, add a SO/SO mixture of clenrz
wter (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL”
(silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank.
(See ”Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more
information.)
A CAUTION:
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 >‘ou wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. k‘our
engine could catch fire and you or
others
could he hurned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and DKX-CWOL” coolant.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant
mix.
5-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then
it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted
to its appearance care.
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Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch
Rear Axle
Four-wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive
Engine Coolant Radiator Pressure Cap
Thermostat Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid 6-28
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7
6-5 8
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6-64
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Vehicle
Care
of Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
Service Parts Identification Label
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop.
Remove
the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop
to its retainer.
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.
Then just pull the hood down firmly
to close. It will
latch when dropped from
10 to12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
without pressing on the hood.
Engine Oil
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.
The oil dipstick
is a
yellow ring.
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.
6-9

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 at least one quart of 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
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
Be sure to 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
Petroleunl 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 gasoline engines.
You should
also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle. as
shown in the following chart:
6- 10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the
air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
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 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
(53 000 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.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
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.
6-14