Page 279 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32" C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93°C). See "Checking Transmission Fluid Hot" in
the Index.
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO°C), drive the
vehicle in DRIVE
(D) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F ( 10°C) or
more. If it's colder than 50°F
(lO"C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you
must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading
of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
running.
in PARK
(P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK
(P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
6-21
Page 281 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5.7L VS Transmission Dipstick
3800 V6 Engine Transmission Dipstick
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the
COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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
while it is 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 overfill.
6-23
Page 282 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXR0N’-III, because fluid with that label
is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused
by fluid other than DEXRON-111
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
0 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 fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle
is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your fingers
on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the fluid level is
low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.
6-24
Page 283 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting.
The clutch master cylinder reservoir is
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid.
It isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your clutch fluid.
Adding fluid won’t correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the fluid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
“Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
6-25
Page 284 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level is below
the STEP mark on the reservoir. See the instructions
on the reservoir cap.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change
it.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345977) or SAE
80W-90 GL-5 gear lubricant.
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant (GM
Part No. 12345977). To completely refill
after draining, add
4 ounces (1 18 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. 1052358).
Then fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole with Axle
Lubricant (GM
Part No. 12345977).
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.
B
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.
6-26
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.
6-28
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.
6-30
Page 291 of 402

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear.
When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking
out
A CAUTIOP’:
F
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections’’ in the Index.
6-33