Page 271 of 448

4-55 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring and a heavy
-duty turn signal flasher
(included in the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
If you have an automatic transmission, you should
use THIRD (3) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle in THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your
transmission. Or, if you have a manual transmission,
it's better not to use FIFTH (5) gear, just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a lower gear).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or the
manual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index.
Page 273 of 448
4-57 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid
(don't overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling
system and brake system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help you find them
quickly. If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review
these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Page 308 of 448

6-
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
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-17 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-20 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-21 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-22 Rear Axle
6
-22 Four-Wheel Drive
6
-24 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-28 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid6
-30 Brakes
6
-34 Battery
6
-35 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-44 Tires
6
-53 Appearance Care
6
-53 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-56 Care of Safety Belts
6
-57 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-61 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-62 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-62 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-63 Electrical System
6
-72 Replacement Bulbs
6
-72 Capacities and Specifications
6
-73 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Page 317 of 448
6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you lift the hood, you'll see these items:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Engine Oil FillE. Automatic
Transmission Dipstick
F. Power Steering Reservoir
G. Brake Master CylinderH. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Fuse Block
J. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
Page 324 of 448

6-17
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
50,000 miles (83 000 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.
Page 327 of 448

6-20
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil is changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn't require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
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.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is cool
enough for you to rest your fingers on the transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.
Page 374 of 448
6-67
Name Usage
TRL TRN Trailer Left Turn
TRR TRN Trailer Right Turn
TRL B/U Trailer Back Up Lamps
VEH B/U Vehicle Back Up Lamps
RT TURN Right Turn Signal Front
LT TURN Left Turn Signal Front
HDLP W/W Not UsedName Usage
LT TRN Left Turn Signal Rear
RT TRN Right Turn Signal Rear
RR PRK Right Rear Parking Lamps
TRL PRK Trailer Park Lamps
LTHDLP Left Headlamp
RTHDLP Right Headlamp
FRPRK Front Parking Lamps
INT BAT I/P Fuse Block Feed
ENG I Engine Sensors/Solenoids, MAF,
CAM, PURGE, VENT
ECM B Engine Control Module, Fuel
Pump Module, Oil Pressure
ABS Anti
-Lock Brake System
ECM I Engine Control Module Injectors
A/C Air Conditioning
W/W PMP Not Used
HORN Horn
BTSI Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control System
B/U LP Back Up Lamps
IGN B Column Feed, IGN 2, 3, 4
RAP Retained Accessory Power
Page 377 of 448
6-70
Name Usage
TRL TRN Trailer Left Turn
TRR TRN Trailer Right Turn
TRL B/U Trailer Back
-Up Lamps
VEH B/U Vehicle Back
-Up Lamps
RT TURN Right Turn Signal Front
LT TURN Left Turn Signal Front
LT TRN Left Turn Signal RearName Usage
RT TRN Right Turn Signal Rear
RR PRK Right Rear Parking Lamps
TRL PRK Trailer ParkingLamps
LT LOW Low
-Beam Headlamp, Left
RT LOW Low
-Beam Headlamp, Right
FRPRK Front Parking Lamps
INT BAT I/P Fuse Block Feed
ENG I Engine Sensors/Solenoids, MAF,
CAM, PURGE, VENT
ECM B Engine Control Module, Fuel
Pump, Module, Oil Pressure
ABS Anti
-Lock Brake System
ECM I Engine Control Module Injectors
A/C Air Conditioning
LT HI High
-Beam Headlamp, Left
RT HI High
-Beam Headlamp, Right
HORN Horn
BTSI Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control System
B/U LP Back
-Up Lamps
DRL Daytime Running Lamps
IGN B Column Feed, IGN 2, 3, 4