Page 248 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The oil dipstick on the
2.2L engine is under
the
fill cap.
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 01-
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
Page 249 of 402

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 mut use the. right
kind.
This part explaimwhat kirdof’d to use. Fur
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has. so.
much dl that the oil-level gets above the
cr8s.s-hatched area that shows the- proper
operatiqg-rapgq, your engine cduld 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 though.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking. for the “S.tarburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil
has been certified by the ArneriGm
Petroleum Institute- (API). Do no1 use any oil which
doesmot carry this Starburst symbol.
1
1 ‘4
C
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starbursl s-yrnbol .on the
front
of the oil container: If
you have your oil changed
for yo.u, be s.ure the oil put
into your .engine is
American Petr.oleum
Institute certified for
.gasoline engines.
You should also .use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle., as shown in the fgliDwing chart:
Page 250 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RECOMMENDED SA€ VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTEO TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
“F
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
i
“(
- +3
- +2
~ +1
- $4
--7
--1
1 I
8
‘7
6
8-
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
I- I I- SI
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chat, SAE 5W-30 is b.est for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE low-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.
I 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)’ considerusing 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.
6-13
Page 251 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine a
0
-0
Most trip3 .are less. than 5 to 10 miles (8 to Xi km).
This is particularly impgrtant when outsid.:
tempemratures me below Freezing;
Most trips include.-extensive idling (such .as fiequenr
driving .in stopand-go traffic).
YQU operate- yo.^ vehicle in dusty areas or
You frkquently tow a'traila.
The vehicle is .used for delivtyy ,service, police, taxi
or other cornexcia1 application.
a€f-roid fraquen-tly. Driving
undef these conditions
causes eagineail to
break down sooner. If' a.ny one of these is true for your
vehicle,
-then you need to .change, your oil and filter
every 3,060..mil~s (3' 000 km] or 3 .months - whichever
0cc:U.rs first.
If none of them is true, use the lopg triplhighway
maintenance schedule. Change. the bil-and filter every
'7.,500 miles (1.2.5.00 km) or 1.2 months -- whicheve-r
u.cc.urs first. Driving a vehicle with 3 fully warmqd
engine under highway coridifians causeis engine oil- to
break dawn dower.
Rem-ote Oil Filter (Four=Whe:el Drive)
The access ,dcmx fm the ;re:mote:oil filter is in-the steering
linkage shiqld as-sbrnbly hated under the. r.adiator
support. Twist the screw to unlock or lack the dom.
Make sure 8 you open the door, it is securely closed.
when
you are finished.
Page 252 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 ail stay an,yo.ur skln
-for very hng. Clean your- shn and nai1.s with ‘soap and
water,.or a good hand cleaner. Wash 01 properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s
warning-s tibout the use and disposal
of- oil products.)
Used
oil can be a real threat. to the environment. If you
change ydur owri oil, be sure to drain all- fre,e-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by p.ut.ting it. in the
trash, pouring it on the .ground, into,
sewers.,
01 into streams .or b0die.s of water. Instead,
,recycle
it by taking it. to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem propedy disposing .of your used oil,
ask your dealer; a service station or a local recycling
cen& for help.
Air Cleaner
VORTEC” 4300 Engine
To remove t.his air cleaner, remove the wing nut$ that
hold the cover on, Remove the cover and lift out the
air filter.
Insert
a new air filter, then replace the air cleaner-cover.
Tighten the wing
nuts to hold the cover in place.
Page 254 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Check and Change
.A goad time to check-your a0tomati.c transmission fluid
level is when the en.gine .oil is chanzed,
C.hange
both the fluid an.d filter every 50,000-miles
(8'3 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traf€ic where the-outsi.de. temperature
regularly reaches.
906F (.32'C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainom 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 the-se
cqnditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the Index,
How to Check
B.eCanse this operation can be a little difficult, you
may cho.Oge to have this dme at your GM de-alership
Service
Department
If you do it ywrsiAf, be sure to follow all the instruaims
here, uryclu coukd get a false re.adirig on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage- your
transmission,
TQO much can mean that s.ome of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to getan accurate reading if .you .check .your
transmission fluid.
Wait &t least.30 minutes before checking the
transmissioil fluid
level if.you have been driving:
* When ou&ide te:mperatures ar~ above 9C>-'F (32 O C).
0 At high spe>ed fbr.quite-.a while.
0 Tn'heavy traffic -- especidly in hot weather.
While pulling
a. trailer:
To -get the right reading, the flui,d'should be at dermal
operating temperature, which- is 1:80."F to 208°F
(82QG to 33°C).
Page 257 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine HOW to Add Fluid Manual TransmisSion Fluid
Referto- the. M-aintenance Schedule t~ dtztermirie. what
kind of- tram~ssion fluid to. me. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants:” in. the Index.
Add fluid only after checking tktrmsmission fluid HOT.
(A COLD check is used .only as a reference.) If the fluid
levd is low, add Only enough of the proper flvid. to bring
the le,vel up t.0 the HOT area fora hat check. It doesdt
take much fluid, ,generally less than Qne pint (0.5 L).
Don t ove.$ll.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-III, because. fluid with that label is
made especidy
for-. your automatic transmission.
.Damage caused.
by fluid other than DEXRON-111
is not covered by y.our new vehicle warranty.
After srddiag fluid-, recheck the fluid Ievel as
When the-correct fluid level Ls obtained, .push the
described under “How to Check.”
dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the handle
down
to lock the dipstick in place.
A good time to have it checked is when-the engine
oil is changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn’t require charging..
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at.you-r GM dealership
Service Department.
‘If YOU do it yourself, be sure. to follow all the
instructions here, or
you could ge.t a false reading,
NOTICE:
Too much or too little-fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that same: u1
the fluid could come; out and fall on hot engine.
parts
or exhaust system p-arts, starting a fire. Be
sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
tranqmission fluid.
Page 262 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A :50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@ coolant far
your vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to-265'0F (129 "C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the whg lights and gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding. coolant, It is important that you use
only DEX--COOL@ (s&ate-&ee) coolant.
Tf co.olant other than DEX-COOL@ is added to
the system, premature. engine, heater core
or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sdoner
-- at
30,000 miles (SO 000 km) .or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX=COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
W.hat to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL' coolant which
won't
damage aluminum parts. If YOU use this mixture,
you don't need
to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your co ng system
can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other
Iiquid.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 engme could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the overheat
warning. Your engme
c:onld catch -6re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX=COOLQ coolant.
6-25