Page 148 of 356

2-95
Oil Pressure Gage
United States
5.7L V8 Engine shown
3800 V6 Engine similarCanada
5.7L V8 Engine shown
3800 V6 Engine similar
This gage tells you if there could be a problem with your
engine oil pressure. The gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or kPa
(kilopascals) when the engine is running.
On the 3800 V6 engine, the oil pressure should be
20 to 120 psi (140 to 827 kPa). On the 5.7L V8 engine,
oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa).
In certain situations such as long, extended idles on hot
days, it could read as low as 6 psi (40 kPa) and still be
considered normal.It may vary with engine speed, outside temperature and
oil viscosity, but readings above the red area show the
normal operating range. Readings in the red area tell
you that the engine is low on oil, or that you might have
some other oil problem. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Page 194 of 356

4-23
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble
-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,
with a comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness on
the highway as an emergency.
Page 222 of 356
5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick. When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should be at FULL COLD.
Page 256 of 356
6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of the 3800 V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Fill CapE. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)
F. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Cooling Fans
H. Engine Air Cleaner/FilterI. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Oil Dipstick
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)
Page 257 of 356
6-11
When you open the hood of the 5.7L V8 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill CapF. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Cooling Fans
H. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
L. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on.
Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Page 305 of 356

6-59
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle's finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non
-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Your Convertible Top
Your convertible top should be cleaned often. If you use
an automatic car wash, use one with water jets and
hanging cloths. High pressure car washes may cause
water to enter your vehicle.
When you hand wash the top, do it in partial shade.
Use a mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft sponge.
A chamois or cloth may leave lint on the top, and a
brush can chafe the threads in the top fabric. Don't use
detergents, harsh cleaners, solvents or bleaching agents.Wet the entire vehicle and wash the top evenly to avoid
spots or rings. Let the soap remain on the fabric for a
few minutes. When the top is really dirty, use a mild
foam
-type cleaner. Your dealer has Convertible Top
Cleaner (GM Part No. 12378520) and Water Repellent
(GM Part No. 12378519). Thoroughly rinse the entire
vehicle, then let the top dry in direct sunlight.
To protect the convertible top:
After you wash the vehicle, make sure the top is
completely dry before you lower it.
Don't get any cleaner on the vehicle's painted finish;
it could leave streaks.
If you decide to go through an automatic car wash,
ask the manager if the equipment could damage
your top.
Page 335 of 356

7-17
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don't forget to check your spare tire. See ªTiresº in
the Index for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)