Page 285 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 (129°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 coolant 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 sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 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.
What 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 cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture,
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 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
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Page 286 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair
cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
I NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, check the dipstick on the cap
of the coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should
be at
COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level
on the dipstick should be up to HOT, or
a little higher.
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Page 287 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If this light comes on, it
means you’re low
on
m
engine coolant.
5.7L V8 Engine Only
Adding Coolant to the Recovery Tank
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
ut the coolant recovery tank, but only
when your engine is cool.
If the tank is very low or
empty, also add coolant to the radiator. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index for information. Add
coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not
to spill it.
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot. You
can be burned
if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap (All Engines)
~
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is an 18 psi (124 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 tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, a GM cap
is recommended.
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Page 288 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, a
GM thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir is toward the
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system
or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top
of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be
at the full cold mark. If necessary,
add only enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
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Page 290 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Washer Fluid
I
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when
it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is
completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer.
It can damage
your washer system and paint.
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Page 351 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
0 Replace spark plugs.
Cl If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
previously and, therefore, haven’t changed your automatic transmission
fluid, change both the fluid and filter. Manual transmission fluid doesn’t
require change.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure
cap.
An Emission Control Service.
I DATE I
DATE
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Page 361 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
0 Replace spark plugs.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
previously and, therefore, haven’t changed your automatic transmission
fluid, change both the fluid and filter. Manual transmission fluid doesn’t
require change.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE I
DATE
7-31
Page 362 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever
any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pegorm these underhood checks at eachfielfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessary. See
“Windshield Washer Fluid”
in the Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
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