1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER trailer

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
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 get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~____
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
5-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 5W-30 if it’s
going
to be colder than 60 “F ( 16 ” C) before your
next oil change. When it’s
very cold, you should use
SAE 5W-30. 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), consider using 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.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready
to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as
frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
You frequently tow
a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these
is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
6-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Fluid
3. Pull out the filter and replace it.
4. Replace the cover and the screws.
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
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 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.
6-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90 "F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
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.
6-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance Schedule
I 1
I Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if
any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
of your vehicle. or other commercial application.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule
if you operate your vehicle under any of these
conditions is that these conditions cause engine
oil to break down soonex
I Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and
Filter Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Free-Wheeling
Hubs Inspection (if equipped)
(or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack
(2WD only) (or at each
brake relining, whichever occurs first). Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Manual Transmission Fluid Change. Transfer Case
Fluid Change. Differential Fluid Change. Engine Idle
Speed Check. Valve Lash (Clearance) Adjustment.
Propeller Shafts and U-Joints Inspection (or every
15 months, whichever occurs fist).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Spark Plug Replacement. Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
24 months,
whichever occurs first). Cooling System Service
(or every
30 months, whichever occurs first). Fuel
Filter Replacement (or every
30 months, whichever
occurs first).
(Continued)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance Schedule
I Short TripKity Intervals I
Every 45,000 Miles (75 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Fluid Hose Replacement (or every
45 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Positive Crankcase
Ventilation (PCV) Valve Replacement.
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Timing
and Distributor Check. Fuel Tank Cap Gasket
Replacement. Emission System Hoses Inspection.
Camshaft Timing Belt Replacement. Brake Fluid Service. Spark Plug Wire Replacement (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first). Wiring Harness
and Connectors Inspection (or every
60 months,
whichever occurs first).
At 90,000 Miles (150 000 km): Camshaft Timing
Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions). Fuel
Injector Inspection. Evaporative Emissions
Canister Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on the following pages.
{Long Trip/Highway Definition
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of
the conditions from the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule is true. Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short TripKity schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a filly warmed engine
under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slowel:
7-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Short TYiplCity Maintenance Schedule I
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
c] Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
0 Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped) for correct operation (or every
An Emission Control Service.
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
3 months, whichever occurs first). Repair or replace if necessary.
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace
An Emission Control Service.
filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
under one or more
of these conditions:
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly r\
eaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
90°F (32°C) or higher.
DATE 1
MILEAGE
I DATE I
MILEAGE
ACTUAL SERVICED BY: