6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-6 Filling Your Tank (Gasoline Engine)
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-22 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-24 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-25 Rear Axle
6
-25 Four-Wheel Drive
6
-28 Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
(Gasoline Engine)
6
-28 Thermostat
6
-29 Engine Coolant
6
-32 Power Steering Fluid6
-33 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-34 Brakes
6
-37 Battery
6
-38 Bulb Replacement
6
-44 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-45 Tires
6
-54 Appearance Care
6
-54 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-62 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-63 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-64 Electrical System
6
-73 Replacement Bulbs
6
-74 Capacities and Specifications
6
-76 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-77 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
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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.
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 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 for
the VORTEC 4300 V6
engine is located on the
driver's side engine
valve cover.
The engine oil fill cap for the VORTEC 4800, 5300 and
6000 V8 engines is located on the passenger's side
engine valve cover.
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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9-2
Before Leaving on a Long Trip 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Better Business Bureau Mediation 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blizzard, Driving In 4-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake
Adjustment 6
-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-34, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 2-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Warning Light 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Shift Interlock Check 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes, Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Camper Type Mirror 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Camper Wiring Harness 4-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canadian Roadside Assistance 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-39, 2-40, 4-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo
Lamp 2
-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamp On Message 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Deck Service 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player 3-11, 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassette Tape Player Care 3
-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette/Compact Disc Storage 2-63, 2-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cellular Telephone 2-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement 6-41 . . . .
Center Overhead Console 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification Label 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire Label 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Safety 4-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Tire 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change Engine Oil Message 2-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Coolant Temp Message 2-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Eng Oil Level Message 2-85, 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Eng Oil Pressure Message 2-85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Transmission Fluid 6-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position 1-54 . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Center Seat Position 1-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-58 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-50, 1-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chrome Wheels, Cleaning 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner, Air 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels 6
-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps/Lenses 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass Surfaces 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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9-4
Driving (Continued)
Through Water 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wet Roads 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken Driving 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Easy Entry Seat 1-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 2-17, 3-26, 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-56 . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-10, 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-29, 6-75, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Heater 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Level Check 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System Capacity 6-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Level Check 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running While Parked 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications 6-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your 2-16, 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underhood Electrical Center 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Fan Noise 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil 6-12, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additives 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil Life Monitor 6
-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure Gage 2-79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Change 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Overheated Message 2-85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust, Engine 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric Cleaning 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fan Control, Climate Control System 3-2, 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Fuel Container 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner 6
-16, 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air 3-5, 6-18, 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Damage 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat Tire, Changing 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Capacities 6-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluids and Lubricants 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamps 2-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign Countries, Fuel 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-Wheel Drive 2-27, 6-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
French Language Manual ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Axle 6
-27, 7-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Axle Locking Feature 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Axle Reserve Capacity 4-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Towing 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-40 . . . . . . . . . .