Page 259 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine , . . . . . . . . .
5.7L Engine 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.
3800 Engine
5.7L Engine
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Page 260 of 404

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.
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.
NOTICE:
I
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area upper mark 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. 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:
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Page 261 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY GRADE 011 FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
WOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
"F
+ 100-
+ 80 -
+ 60 -
+40-
+ 20 -
0-
\I
SAE SW-M PREFERRED
I SAE I law-30
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
5.7L Engine
As shown in the chart, if you have the 5.7L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 1OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°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.
6-15
Page 262 of 404

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTT GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE
OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
WOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
wi
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SA€ 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3800 Engine
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3800 engine, SAE
1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60°F (16°C)
before your next oil change. When it’s very cold, you
should use
SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an
SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
6-16
Page 263 of 404

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Chevrolet dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then
you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
(See “Change Oil Indicator” in the Index.) If
none
of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or I2 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
(See “Change Oil Indicator” in the Index.)
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.
6-17
Page 267 of 404

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Open the air cleaner and remove the filter.
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 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as high performance operation.
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, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
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 Chevrolet dealership
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.
regularly
reaches
90” F (32°C) or higher.
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Page 271 of 404

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
one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ove 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
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
described
under
“How to Check.”
dipstick back
in all the way.
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 fail 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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Page 274 of 404

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain
in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
d
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (1 29°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core
or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant
will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
6-28