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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
-5 Filling Your Tank (Gasoline Engine)
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines)
6
-19 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-22 Rear Axle
6
-22 Four-Wheel Drive
6
-24 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-25 Thermostat
6
-25 Engine Coolant
6
-28 Power Steering Fluid
6
-29 Windshield Washer Fluid6
-30 Brakes
6
-34 Battery
6
-35 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-43 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-51 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-54 Care of Safety Belts
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-65 Replacement Bulbs
6
-67 Capacities and Specifications
6
-68 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-69 Normal Replacement Parts--Gasoline Engines
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6-10
ªVORTECº 5700 V8 Engine
When you lift up the hood you'll see:
A. Battery
B. Air Cleaner
C. Radiator Cap
D. Coolant Recovery Tank
E. Air Filter Restriction IndicatorF. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick
H. Fan
I. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirJ. Engine Oil Fill
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
M. Fuse/Relay Center
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6-11
ªVORTECº 7400 V8 Engine
When you lift up the hood you'll see:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Air Cleaner
D. Radiator Cap
E. Air Filter Restriction IndicatorF. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill
I. FanJ. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
M. Fuse/Relay Center
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6-15
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's going
to be 0F (
-18C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
ªStarburstº symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to
advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off
-road frequently.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to break
down sooner. If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then
you need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months
-- whichever occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
-- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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6-16 What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer's warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
(Gasoline Engines)
The air cleaner assembly
has an indicator that lets
you know when the air
filter is dirty and needs to
be serviced.
The indicator is located in the air intake tube between
the air cleaner and the engine. See ªOwner Checks and
Servicesº in the Index to determine when to check
the indicator.
If the area inside the clear section of the indicator is
green, no air filter service is required. When the area
inside the indicator is orange and CHANGE AIR
FILTER appears, the filter should be replaced.
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6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªAutomatic
Transmission Fluidº in the Diesel Supplement.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission 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
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the 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
transmission. 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
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180F to 200F
(82C to 93C).
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6-68 Cooling System Capacity (Approximate)
After refill, the level must be rechecked. See ªCooling Systemº in the Index.
ENGINE VIN QTY Without Rear Heater QTY With Rear Heater
ªVORTECº 5700 V8 R 17.5 Quarts (16.5 L) 20 Quarts (19 L)
ªVORTECº 7400 V8 J 25 Quarts (23.5 L) 27.5 Quarts (26 L)
Crankcase Capacity (Approximate)
After refill, the level must be rechecked. Add enough engine oil so that the fluid is within the proper operating range.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
ENGINE VIN
QUANTITY WITH FILTER
ªVORTECº 5700 V8 R 5 Quarts (4.8 L)
ªVORTECº 7400 V8 J 6.6 Quarts (6.3 L)
Oil filter should be changed at every oil change.
Fuel Tank Capacity (Approximate)
TYPE QUANTITY
Utility 30 Gallons (113 L)TYPE QUANTITY
Suburban
- Gasoline 44 Gallons (167 L)
Suburban
- Diesel 42 Gallons (159 L)
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure
the proper refrigerant is used. If you're not sure, ask your dealer.
See refrigerant charge label under the hood for charge capacity information and requirements.
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6-69
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts -- Gasoline Engines
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are based on the latest information available at the time of printing,
and are subject to change. If a part listed in this manual is not the same as the part used in your vehicle when it was
built, or if you have any questions, please contact your GM truck dealer.
EngineªVORTECº 5700 V8 ªVORTECº 7400 V8
VIN R J
Oil Filter
AC Type PF1218AC Type PF1218
Air Cleaner Filter
AC Type A1300CAC Type A1300C
PCV Valve AC Type CV769C AC Type CV774C
Spark Plugs
AC Type 41
-932 AC Type 41-932
Spark Plug Gap 0.060 in. (1.52 mm) 0.060 in. (1.52 mm)
Fuel Filter AC Type GF626 AC Type GF626
Wiper Blades (Front) GM Part No. 22154886 GM Part No. 22154886
Wiper Blade Type (Front) Trico Trico
Wiper Blade Length (Front) 18 inches (45.0 cm) 18 inches (45.0 cm)
Wiper Blade (Rear) GM Part No. 22154396 GM Part No. 22154396
Wiper Blade Type (Rear) Trico Trico
Wiper Blade Length (Rear) 14 inches (35.5 cm) 14 inches (35.5 cm)
Four
-Wheel-Drive Vehicles -- use a PF52 oil filter.
A1301C High
-capacity air cleaner filter.