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2-19
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather,
0F (
-18C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater
can help.
You'll get easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm
-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting
your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering fluid reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
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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6-10
VORTEC 4300 V6 Engine
When you lift up the hood you'll see:
A. Air Cleaner
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped)F. Fan
G. Engine Oil Fill
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Remote Negative Terminal (GND)
J. Remote Positive Terminal
K. Brake Fluid ReservoirL. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Underhood Electrical Center
N. Battery
O. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
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6-11
VORTEC 4800, 5300 and 6000 V8 Engine
VORTEC 5300 V8 engine shown, locations for other engines similar.
A. Air Cleaner
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped)F. Engine Oil Fill
G. Fan
H. Remote Negative Terminal (GND)
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
J. Remote Positive Terminal
K. Brake Fluid ReservoirL. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Underhood Electrical Center
N. Battery
O. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
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6-32
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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7-25
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by
name, part number or specification may be obtained
from your dealer.
USAGE
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine Oil
(Gasoline
Engine)Engine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines ªStarburstº
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle's engine, see
ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only GM
Goodwrench
DEX-COOL or
Havoline DEX-COOL
Coolant. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT
-3 Brake Fluid).
USAGEFLUID/LUBRICANT
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Hydraulic Clutch
SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part
No. 12345347 or equivalent
DOT
-3 Brake Fluid).
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884
- 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
Manual
Transmission
(5
-Speed with
Low Gear, RPO
MW3)
GM Goodwrench Synthetic
Manual Transmission Fluid (GM
Part No. 12346190
- 1 qt.) or
equivalent SAE 75W
-85 GL-4
Gear Oil.
Manual
Transmission
(5
-Speed without
Low Gear, RPO
MG5)
Synchromesh Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. 12345349
or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
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9-6
Inspections (Continued)
Steering 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Throttle System 7-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer Case (Four-Wheel Drive) 7-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cluster 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intensity Control 2-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jumper Wiring Harness 4-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lamps 2-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jack, Tire 5-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Lock Cylinders Service 7-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Release Button 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keyless Entry System 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 2-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Labels
Certification 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Parts Identification 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Identification Number 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamps 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dome 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interior 2
-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Reminder 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Latches, Seatback 1-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running 2-36 . . . . . . .
Lighter 2-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lights
4WD 2
-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag Off 1-33, 2-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag Readiness 1-27, 2-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning 2-74, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise 2-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belt Reminder 1-12, 2-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Engine Soon 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift 2-27, 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tow/Haul 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading Information, Truck-Camper 4-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading Your Vehicle 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving 4-17 . . . . . . . . . .
Lockout Prevention 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks
Cylinders 7
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition Transmission Check 7-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Lock Cylinders Service 7-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Door 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Coolant Message 2-84, 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Fuel Message 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Washer Fluid Message 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubricants and Fluids 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubrication Service, Body 7-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumbar Controls, Manual 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumbar Controls, Power 1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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9-8
Overheated Engine Protection 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating Engine 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Owner Checks and Services 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Owner Publications, Ordering 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paint Spotting, Chemical 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park, Shifting Into 2-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park, Shifting Out of 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking
At Night 2
-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake 2-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake Mechanism Check 7-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lots 2-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Over Things That Burn 2-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Vehicle, Manual Transmission 2-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air Filter 3-5, 6-18, 6-77 . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Position 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passing 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passlock2-12, 2-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic Maintenance Inspections 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab 4-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power
Accessory Outlet 2
-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Locks 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Option Fuses 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Control Mirror 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seats 1-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Fluid 6-32, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winches 4-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts 1
-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Problems on the Road 5-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publications, Service and Owner 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio Reception 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radios 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rain, Driving In 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reading Lamps 2-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear
Axle 6
-25, 7-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside Seat Position 1-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belt Comfort Guides 1-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat Passengers 1-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Window Defogger 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Access Door 2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Seat 1-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rearview Mirror 2-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night 2-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside Day/Night 2-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reclining Seatbacks 1-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Hooks 5-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recreational Vehicle Towing 4-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reduced Engine Power Message 2-85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning 6-76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement
Bulbs 6
-38, 6-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Safety Belts 1-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Safety Defects 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .