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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.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
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
To open the hood, do the following.
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle on
the driver's side under
the instrument panel.
Page 250 of 360
6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 (LN2) engine, you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap/DipstickD. Brake Fluid Reservoir
E. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
G. Battery
H. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
Page 251 of 360
6-12
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC (L61) engine, you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Dipstick
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Brake Fluid ReservoirE. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)
(Not Shown)G. Battery
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
Page 252 of 360
6-13
When you open the hood on the 2.4L L4 (LD9) engine, you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil DipstickD. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)G. Battery
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
Page 253 of 360
6-14
Engine Oil
If the oil pressure light
appears on the instrument
cluster, it means you need
to check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see ªOil 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.
Check the oil here if you
have a 2.2L L4 (LN2)
engine. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in
the Index for more
information on location.
2.2L L4 (LN2) Engine
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6-15
Check the oil here if
you have a 2.2L L4
ECOTEC (L61) engine.
The dipstick's handle
will be a yellow ring. See
ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index
for more information
on location.
2.2L L4 ECOTEC
(L61) Engine
2.4L L4 (LD9) Engine
Check the oil here if you have a 2.4L L4 (LD9) engine.
The dipstick's handle will be a yellow ring. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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.
Page 256 of 360
6-17 When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark for a 2.2L
L4 (LN2) or 2.4L L4 (LD9) engine, or at or below the
MIN mark for a 2.2L L4 ECOTEC (L61) engine, 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 engine oil 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.
2.2L L4 (LN2) Engine
This is where you add oil if you have a 2.2L L4 (LN2)
engine. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
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6-18
2.2L L4 ECOTEC (L61) Engine
This is where you add oil if you have a 2.2L L4
ECOTEC (L61) engine. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for more information on location.2.4L L4 (LD9) Engine
This is where you add oil if you have a 2.4L L4 (LD9)
engine. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
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.