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Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-10 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high
-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it's on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE () or
DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least three minutes while
you're parked. If you still have the warning, turn off the
engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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6-16
As shown in the chart, SAE 10W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W
-30 if it's going
to be colder than 60F (16C) before your next
oil change. When it's very cold, you should use
SAE 5W
-30. 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.
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Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid
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 15,000 miles
(25 000 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.
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Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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6-21
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).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50F (10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C),
drive the vehicle in DRIVE (D) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes. Then follow the hot check procedures.Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are 50F (10C) or
more. If it's colder than 50F (10C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
Scheduled Maintenance
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7-5
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if
any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
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 frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Inspection. Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD only) (or at each brake
relining, whichever occurs first). Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Manual Transmission Fluid Change. Transfer Case
Fluid Change. Differential Fluid Change. Valve Lash
(Clearance) Adjustment (1.6L Code 6 engine only).
Propeller Shafts and U
-Joints Inspection
(or every 15 months, whichever occurs first).
(Continued)
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Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
Scheduled Maintenance
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7-7
Long Trip/Highway Definition
Follow this scheduled maintenance only if none of
the conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance is true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 7.5 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Inspection. Valve
Lash (Clearance) Adjustment (1.6L Code 6 engine
only). Propeller Shafts and U
-Joints Inspection
(or every 15 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs first). Cooling System Service (or every
30 months, whichever occurs first). Spark Plug
Replacement. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Replacement. Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection. Front Wheel Bearing
Repack (2WD only) (or at each brake relining,
whichever occurs first). Manual Transmission Fluid
Change. Transfer Case Fluid Change. Differential
Fluid Change. Fuel Filter Replacement (or every
30 months, whichever occurs first).
(Continued)
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Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
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7-11
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions.
Replace filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote.)
For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
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 do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
and filter every 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Change manual transmission fluid.
Change transfer case fluid.
Change differential fluid.
(Continued)ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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7-12
15,000 Miles (25 000 km) (Continued)
Inspect the valve lash and adjust if necessary (1.6L Code 6 engine only).
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect propeller shafts and u
-joints for looseness and damage (or every
15 months, whichever occurs first). Inspect more frequently if used off
-road
or for pulling a trailer. Tighten u
-joint flange bolts if necessary.
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect passenger compartment air filter.
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE