1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE check oil

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on
the hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in
the hood and return the prop
to its retainer. Then just
let the hood down and close it firmly.
Underhood Lamp (If Equipped)
Your underhood lamp will go on when you open
the hood.
Engine Oil
If the LEVEL light on
the instrument panel comes on, it means you need
to
level right away.
hhhhhh
LWEL
check your engine oil
For more information, see “LOW Oil Level Light” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly:
this
is an added reminder. It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time
you
get
fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
is located at the front of the
engine compartment, near the center. The dipstick
handle has a bright, yellow loop design for easy
identification.
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.
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Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
NOTICE: I
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating
range, your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is
located just behind the
engine oil dipstick.
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 through.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
regularly reaches
90°F (32 O C) or higher.
If you do
not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’ in the Index.
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
transaxle.
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
transaxle fluid.
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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.
I
I
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.
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.
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.
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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
pe@orm these underhood checks at each fuel
fill.
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 hrther 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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Driving (Continued) IntheRain
.................................. 4-18
On Curves
.................................. 4- 11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-26
Wet Roads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
Night
...................................... 4-16
Through Water
............................... 4-20
Dump and Stow Feature
........................... 1-7
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.................... 2-28
Electrical
System ............................... 6-57
Electronic Level Control
......................... 4-32
Engine
....................................... 6-10
Coolant
..................................... 6-21
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-29
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-29
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-9 1
Cooling System .............................. 6-65
Exhaust
..................................... 2-38
Identification
................................ 6-56
Oil Level Check
.............................. 7-29
Overheated Protection Operating Mode
........... 5- 13
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Running While Parked
......................... 2-39
Specifications
................................ 6-65
StartingYour
................................ 2-27
Temperature Warning Light
..................... 2-92 Engine
Oil ............................... 2.95. 6.11
Checking
................................... 6-12
Additives
................................... 6-14
Used
....................................... 6-15
What Kind to Use
............................. 6-13
WhentoAdd
................................ 6-12
When to Change
.............................. 6-14
Equipment. Adding to the Outside Of Your Vehicle ..... 6-3
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-38
Exit Lighting
.................................. 2-63
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fan Knob. Climate Control System .................. 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-15
Filter. Passenger Compartment Replacement
......... 6-16
Finishcare
.................................... 6-52
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
FirstGear
..................................... 2-33
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-24
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-65
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-34
Folding Driver’s Seatback
......................... 1-3
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
.................... 6-7
FrenchLanguageManual
........................... ii
FrontDoor
..................................... 2-4
Front ParkingEurn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-34
Front Seat Storage Bin
........................... 2-71
9-4
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Instrument Panel Switchbank ...................... 2- 13
Interior Lamps ................................. 2-61
Control
..................................... 2-6 1
Override Switch .............................. 2-62
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-27
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-30
Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-8
Battery Replacement
.......................... 2-10
Operation
.................................... 2-9
Resynchronizing
............................. 2- 12
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels CertificatiodTire
............................. 4-30
Service
Parts Identification ..................... 6-56
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-56
Delayed Illumination
.......................... 2-63
Dome
...................................... 2-64
Exit Lighting
................................ 2-63
Exterior
.................................... 2-60
Illuminated Entry
............................. 2-62
Interior
..................................... 2-61
OnReminder
................................ 2-60
Rearcargo
.................................. 2-64
Underhood
.................................. 6-11
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-7
Lamps
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-36
Liftgate
....................................... 2-20
Lights Lighter
....................................... 2-77
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.52. 2.87
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.89. 4.7
Brake System Warning .................... 2.87. 6.27
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-87
DoorAjar
................................... 2-96
Engine Temperature Warning
................... 2-92
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-92, 6-23
Low Fuel Warning
............................ 2-97
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2-96, 6-11
Low Traction
............................ 2-91, 4-9
Oil Pressure ................................. 2-95
Power Sliding Door
........................... 2-96
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1-36, 2-86
Service Engine
Soon .......................... 2-93
Traction Control System Warning
........... 2-90, 4-10
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-30
Locks
Automatic Door
............................... 2-6
Cylinders
................................... 7-30
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Check
....................... 7-32
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-30
Lockout Deterrent
............................. 2-7
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Sliding Door Child Security
..................... 2-19
Sliding Door Delayed Locking
................... 2-7
Locks
and Lighting Choices ...................... 2-40
Last Door Closed Locking
....................... 2-6
Sliding Door
................................. 2-14
9-6
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LossofControl ................................ 4-15
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2.92. 6.23
Low Fuel Warning Light
......................... 2-97
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2.96. 6.11
Low Traction Light
......................... 2.91. 4.9
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-34
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-30
Luggage Carrier
................................ 2-74
Lumbar Control
................................. 1-6
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-66
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-36
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7- 1
How This Section is Organized ................... 7-3
Long Tiip/Highway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripklighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-29
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-33
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-34
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................ 7-2
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-54
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-41
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-93
Matching Transmitters to
Your Vehicle .............. 2- 10
Mirrors
....................................... 2-65
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-66
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-65
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-65
Visorvanity
................................. 2-78 Mode Buttons. Climate Control System
. .......... 3-3
Mode
Knob. Climate Control System ................ 3-2
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
........................... 2-53
Net. cargo
................................... 2-72
Neutral
....................................... 2-31
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-25
Nightvision
................................... 4-17
Odometer
.................................... 2-85
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-85
Off-RoadRecovery
............................. 4-13
Oil. Engine
............................... 2.95. 6.11
Oil Pressure Light
.............................. 2-95
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-67
Garage
Door Opener Compartment ............... 2-68
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
................ 2-69
Switchb
ank .................................. 2-12
Overheated Engine Protection
..................... 5-13
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-29
Owner Publications, Ordering
..................... 8-12
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-54
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-30
Shifting Into
................................. 2-35
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-37
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