Page 63 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Codant Heater (Option) 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC .outlet.
“VORTEC” 4301); 2.2L Engine
Engine
In very cold weather? 0 “F (- 18 * C) or colder, the engine
ooiantheater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better
fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of
four hours prior to statin-g your vehicle.
10 Use the- Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the- engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the ele.ctrica1 cord.
Plugging le cord into an-ungroundec let
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause:
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, .use ,a
heavy-duty three-p.rong extension cord rated for
at least 15
amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure -to unplug. and store
the cord as
it was before tu keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don%, it could b.e damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in?.The answer depends on the-outside temperature, the
kind
.of ail you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your GM dealer in the area where-you’Il be parking your
vehicle. The
dealer can give you the best advtce for that
particular area.
Page 106 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning., Light,
1
With the anti-lock brake
system, this Light will come
on when. yau start .youx
ANTI - LOCK engine and may stay
Engine Coolant Temperature -Gage
This gage shows the..engin-e
coolant temperature,
If the
moves -into
It means that your engine:co‘olant has overheated. Ifyou
have been operating your vehicle grrtder .normal driving
C.ondifions,
y~u should pull.off ‘the foad, stop your
vehicle. and tm off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Proble.ms on the Road,r’ this mangal shows you what
to do. See “Engine Ovefheittit~g” in the Index.
2-59
Page 110 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shift Light Check Gages Light.
SHIFT
You have the SHIFT light
if you have a manual
transmission. This light
comes- on very briefly as a
bulb check wh-en
you start
the engine. Shifting when
the indicator light is on will
help
you get the best fuel
economy. See “Shift Light”
in the Index.
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
This light is ,on the
instrument panel. It goes on
whenever the
DIU are on,
the ignition is on, the
headlamp switch
is off
and the parking brake-
:::(-)
.ma is released.
CHECK
GAGES
The CHECK GAGES light
will come
on briefly when
y9u
are starting the engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check
your coolant temperature and engine oil pressure
gages
to see if they are in the warning zones.
2-63
Page 117 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning (Option) Heating
The heater -works best if'pu keep; you^ windows ck
whi1.e using it.. On cold days, us.e HEATER with the
temperature
knob-turned clockwise. BLEND iS .useful in
cool weather when you have fog or ice on the
wind-shield or side windows.
If yoLuse the- optional engirie coolant'heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air fasier to heat the,pa,ssenger compartmgent in
cold. weather, 'S-ee "Engine Coolmt'Heater'' in the' Index,
Ventilation System
For mild outsid&:V3npaature:s when little heating or
c-ooling is needed, me VENT to: direct au.tsi.de. sir
through your vehic1.e. Airflow is tllrough the'ihnstrumalt
panel outlets.
Your vehicle's ventilation gystem supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehick wkin it is moving,. When the
.vehicle is not rn0vin.g you can-get outside ~r to ilow
-through by selecting any mode and an.y fan ,sp.ee.d.
3-4
Page 209 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating
YQU will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument paneI.
ESteam Is Coming FroniYour Engine
Steam from an overheatdengine can burn y.ou
badly, even if you just open the ho.od. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam toming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of-steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine:is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch.fire. You
.or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats,, and getmt of the vehicle until. the
engine
is cool.
NOTICE:
I
If your -engine catches fire. because you keep
driving with no co.olant, your vehicle can b.e
badly damaged. The costly repairs would..not. be
c~overed by your warranty.
5-12
Page 261 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Referto the Maitltenance Schedule -to determine haw
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance S-ervic-es” in the Index.
HOW to Check Lubricant
If the 1ev.el is below -the bottom of the filler plug hole,
youfll need to add some lubricant.
If the differential is at aperating temperature (warm),
add enough lubricant to ,raise the level to the bottom of
the filler plug hole,
If the differe.ntia1 is. cold, add enough lubricant to raise-
the level
to 1/2 inch ( 12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determirie what
kind
of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine C,oolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled
with
DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for:5 year$ or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whicheveroccurs first,
if you add only DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
The fdIowing explains
your .coaling system and how to
add coolant when
it is-10~~ If YQU have a problem with
engine overheating,
see “Engine Overheating’’ in
the Index.
6-24
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
Page 265 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Thermostat
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line
up with the overflow tub.e on the radiator
filler neck.
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine
coolant sys-tem. The. thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
Power Steering Fluid
6-28