1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA engine

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6-4
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or your
vehicle may fail a smog
-check test. (See ªMalfunction
Indicator Lampº in the Index.) If this occurs, return to
your authorized Chevrolet dealer for diagnosis to
determine the cause of failure. In the event it is
determined that the cause of the condition is the type of
fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane
-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not
the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not
recommend the use of such gasolines. If fuels containing
MMT are used, spark plug life may be reduced and your
emission control system performance may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Chevrolet dealer for service.To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they comply with
the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn't
be covered under your warranty.

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6-8
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
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.

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6-10
When you open the hood on the 3100 (Code M) V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Oil DipstickF. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Remote Positive (+)
Battery TerminalJ. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
K. Battery (located under
Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir)

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6-11
When you open the hood on the 3800 (Code K) V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill CapF. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Remote Positive (+)
Battery TerminalJ. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
K. Battery (located under
Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir)

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6-12
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see ªLow Oil Level Lightº 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.
3100 (Code M)
V6 Engine3800 (Code K)
V6 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front of the engine.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several 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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6-13 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.
3100 (Code M) V6
Engine3800 (Code K) V6
Engine
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the lower 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 ªCapacities and Specificationsº
in the Index.
NOTICE:
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 toward the front of the
engine near the yellow
-looped engine oil dipstick.

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6-14
3100 (Code M)
V6 Engine3800 (Code K)
V6 Engine
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.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the ªStarburstº symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
If you have your oil changed for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

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6-15
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3100 V6 engine,
SAE 5W
-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 10W
-30 if it's going to be 0
F (-18
C) or
above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE 20W
-50.