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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 upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap on the ªVORTECº 5700 V8
engine is located on the driver's side engine valve cover.
The engine oil fill cap on the ªVORTECº 7400 V8
engine is located on the front of the engine, near
the radiator.
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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6-24 Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you may need to add some lubricant.
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to raise
the level to 1/2 inch (12 mm) below the filler plug hole.When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ªRecommended Fluids and
Lubricantsº in the Index.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap must be tightly installed with
the arrows on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
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6-25
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an AC
thermostat
is recommended.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).
Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant. If
coolant other than DEX
-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
NOTICE: (Continued)
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6-28
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
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.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance -- Gasoline Engines
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7-26
100,000 Miles (166 000 km) (Continued)
Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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 haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transmission fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance -- Gasoline Engines
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7-37
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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 haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transmission fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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7-42
Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall). You should let your dealer's
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See ªService and Owner
Publicationsº in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook
-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out
-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build
-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See ªEngine Exhaustº in
the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the
cooling system and pressure cap is recommended at
least once a year.
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9-8
Passing 4-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passlock2-11, 2-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic Maintenance Inspections 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power
Auxiliary Outlet 2
-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumbar Adjustment 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Option Fuses 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Control Mirror 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Fluid 6-28, 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winches 4-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Lumbar Adjustment 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts 1-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Problems on the Road 5-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publications, Service and Owner 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator 5-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator Pressure Cap 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio Reception 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radios 3-11, 3-12, 3-15, 3-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rain, Driving In 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reading Lamps 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear
Axle 6
-22, 7-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Security Locks 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside Seat Position 1-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Belt Comfort Guides 1
-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat Passengers 1-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Window Defogger 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper and Washer 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating Systems 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Towing 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rearview Mirror 2-43, 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night with Compass 2-43 . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night with Compass/Temperature
Display 2
-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside 2-43, 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reclining Front Seatbacks 1-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Hooks 5-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Tank, Coolant 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recreational Vehicle Towing 4-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning 6-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing the Rear (Third) Seat (Suburban) 1-12 . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement
Bulbs 6
-65, 6-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel, Used 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Safety Belts 1-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing the Rear (Third) Seat (Suburban) 1-13 . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Safety Defects 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restraints
Checking 1
-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child 1-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head 1-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Parts After a Crash 1-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Check 7-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reverse, Automatic Transmission 2-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .