Page 253 of 391

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
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-14 Engine Oil
6
-20 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-22 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
(If Equipped)
6
-24 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-27 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-32 Engine Coolant
6
-35 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-35 Power Steering Fluid
6
-36 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-37 Brakes
6
-41 Battery
6
-42 Bulb Replacement6
-46 Tires
6
-54 Appearance Care
6
-55 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield,
Backglass and Wiper Blades
6
-58 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-60 Special Care for Canvas Top and Plastic
Windows
6
-61 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-61 Cleaning Tires
6
-62 Finish Damage
6
-62 Underbody Maintenance
6
-63 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-64 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-65 Electrical System
6
-68 Replacement Bulbs
6
-69 Capacities and Specifications
6
-71 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Page 261 of 391
6-9
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan. Don't reach through
the grille to release the underhood lever.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other
fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
1. To open the hood, first
pull the release handle
located on the driver's
side of the vehicle on the
lower portion of the
instrument panel.
Page 266 of 391
6-14
Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light appears on the
instrument panel, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see ªEngine Oil Pressure Lightº
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The handle of the
engine oil dipstick is a
round, yellow ring. On
the 1.6L engine, it is
located near the front
of the engine
compartment towards
the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
1.6L Engine
Page 276 of 391

6-24
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.
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.