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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
-21 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-23 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-24 Manual Transaxle Fluid
6
-24 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-25 Engine Coolant
6
-28 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-29 Power Steering Fluid6
-29 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-31 Brakes
6
-35 Battery
6
-36 Bulb Replacement
6
-43 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-54 Care of Safety Belts
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-61 Electrical System
6
-66 Replacement Bulbs
6
-66 Capacities and Specifications
6
-67 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
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
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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
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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 260 of 360

6-21
If your vehicle is equipped with a 2.2L L4 ECOTEC
(L61) engine, it has a unique oil filter element. When
reinstalling the filter cap, do not exceed 18 lb
-ft
(25 Nm). Inspect the condition of the O
-ring and
replace if damaged.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or
into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located on the driver's
side of the engine compartment near the battery.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
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6-22
To check or replace the filter, remove the screws that
hold the cover on and lift off the cover. Be sure to
reinstall the cover tightly.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily
get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.
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6-23
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a
leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible. You
may also have your fluid level checked by your dealer
or service center when you have your oil changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 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, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON
-III is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
Page 306 of 360

6-67 Engine Specifications
2.2L L4 (LN2) VIN Engine Code 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2L L4 (L61) VIN Engine Code F. . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4L L4 (LD9) VIN Engine Code T. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning
Refrigerant Capacity
If you do your own service work, you'll need the proper
service manual. See ªDoing Your Own Service Workº in
the Index for additional information. It is recommended
that service work on your air conditioning system be
performed by a qualified technician.
Air Conditioning
Refrigerant R
-134a1.5 lbs. (.68 kg) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Use Refrigerant Oil, R134a Systems
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
2.2L L4 (LN2) A
-1172C* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2L L4 (L61) A
-1172C* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4L L4 (LD9) A
-1172C* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter
2.2L L4 (LN2) PF
-47* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2L L4 (L61) PF2244G*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4L L4 (LD9) PF
-44* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs
2.2L L4 (LN2) 41
-928* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.040 inch (1.02 mm)
2.2L L4 (L61) 41
-981* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.042 inch (1.06 mm)
2.4L L4 (LD9) 41
-963* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.050 inch (1.27 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blade (Shepherd's Hook Type)
Left Side 22 inches (56 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Right Side 17 inches (43 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
* ACDelco
part number.
ECOTEC