Page 255 of 386
Checking Things Under the Hood Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You
or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
-
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle
on the lower driver’s side of
the instrument panel. Lift
the hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and
put the hood prop into the slot in the hood.
You may
have
a lamp that comes on when you lift the hood.
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When you lift the hood, you’ll see these items:
C
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine
Oil Dipstick
D. Engine
Oil Fill
E. Transmission Dipstick
E Power Steering Reservoir
G. Brake Master Cylinder
H. Air Cleaner
I. Fuse Block
J. Windshield Washer Fluid
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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 THIRD (3) 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
1nust 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 running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
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).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
1. The transmission
dipstick has a red
handle and
is located at
the rear of the engine
compartment.
Flip the
handle up and then pull
out the dipstick and
wipe
it with a clean rag
or paper towel.
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Page 274 of 386

Brakes
Brake Fluid
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
of the brake system. If it is, you should
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.
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Checking Brake Fluid What to Add
You can check the brake
fluid without taking off
the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level
should be above
MIN. If it isn’t, have your brake system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done
on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure
the level is above the MTN but not over
the
MAX mark or the top of the window on the side
of the reservoir. When
you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3
brake fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No.
12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the
area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at
all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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NOTICE:
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushim on the brake
pedal firmly).
A CAU‘
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result
in costly brake repair.
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Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
( 166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
( 166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240
000 ktn).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
7 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure
to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s ~1sefu1 life. We, however.
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed
at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
## Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines.
universal joints and brake pedal springs.
+ A ~ood time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under ”Periodic
Maintenance Inspections”
in Part C of this schedule.
.:. .:, -,-*,- Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants“ in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change.
At subsequent oil changes. check
fluid level and add fluid
as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer. drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
hea\jy-duty
or off-l-oad use.
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I Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
( 166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
i- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
## Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage and transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, propshaft splines, universal joints and
brake pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See ‘’Brake System Inspection’’ under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections”
in Part C of this schedule.
:k:k Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid
as needed.
fluid as needed at every engine
oil change.
Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
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