Page 138 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Oil Light
This warning light should
come on while
you are
starting your engine.
If the
light doesn’t come on, have
LOW OIL it repaired.
If the light stays on after starting your engine, your
engine oil level may be
too low. You may need to add
oil. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
NOTICE:
The oil level monitoring system only checks the
oil level when you are starting your engine.
It
does not keep monitoring the level once the
engine is running. Also, the oil level check only
works when the engine has been turned
off long
enough for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
Check Gages Light
CHECK
GAGES
This warning light will
come
on briefly when you
are starting the engine. If
the light comes on and stays
on while
you are driving,
check your gages to
see if they are
in the
warning areas.
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Page 187 of 404

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 journey. 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
Chevrolet 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:
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0
0
0
0
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: 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 Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Page 222 of 404

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 FULL COLD, add a
50/50 mixture of clean water
(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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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@ coolant.
I 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.
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Page 247 of 404

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Chevrolet. 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.
6- 2
6-3'
6-5
6-6
6-8
6- 12
6-18
6-2
1
6-25 6-28
6-32
6-33
6-35
6-39
6-40 Service
Fuel
Fuels
in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under
the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
Engine Coolant
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
6-50
6-58
6-59
6-62
6-62
6-63
6-65
6-66
6-67
6-68
6-68 6-68
6-74
6-74
6-76 Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Chevrolet
Care of Safety Belts
Glass
Cleaning the Outside of Your Chevrolet
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Service
Parts Identification Label
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Page 258 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps
are on.
Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
on the instrument panel
comes on, it means you
need
to check your engine
oil level right away.
LOW OIL
For more information, see “Low Oil Light” in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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.
3800 Engine Oil Dipstick
The engine oil dipstick is the yellow loop near the back
of the engine
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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 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.
6-21