2002 CHEVROLET S10 Owners Manual

6-3
CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.

Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.

Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. ªEnglishº and ªmetricº
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.
Fuel (Gasoline)
The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that identifies
your engine. You will find the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. See ªVehicle Identification Numberº
in the Index.
If your vehicle has the 2200 L4 engine (VIN Code 5),
you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E
-85); also see
ªFuel E
-85 (85% Ethanol)º following. If your
vehicle has the 4.3L V6 engine, use only regular
unleaded gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it is bad
enough, it can damage your engine. A little pinging
noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is considered
normal. This does not indicate a problem exists or that
a higher
-octane fuel is necessary.

6-4 Gasoline Specifications
It is recommended that gasoline meet specifications
which were developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association and endorsed by the
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association for better
vehicle performance and engine protection. Gasolines
meeting these specifications could provide improved
driveability and emission control system performance
compared to other gasolines.
In Canada, look for
the ªAuto Makers'
Choiceº label on
the pump.
Canada Only
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in the Index)
and your vehicle may fail a smog
-check test. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.
Additives
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane
-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
does not recommend the use of such gasolines.

6-5
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark
plugs and the performance of the emission control
system may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage wouldn't be covered under your
warranty.
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that identifies
your engine. You will find the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. See ªVehicle Identification Numberº
in the Index.
If your vehicle has the 2200 L4 engine (VIN Code 5),
you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E
-85); also see
ªFuel (Gasoline)º listed previously. If your vehicle has
the 4.3L V6 engine use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Only vehicles with the 2200 L4 engine (VIN Code 5)
may use 85% ethanol fuel (E
-85).
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E
-85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(http://afdcmap.nrel.gov/nrel/) that can help you find E
-85
fuel. Those stations that do have E
-85 should have a label
indicating ethanol content. Do not use the fuel if the
ethanol content is greater than 85%. Your vehicle may not
operate properly if the ethanol content is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E
-85 should meet
ASTM Specification D 5798.

6-6
To insure quick starts in the wintertime, the E-85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according
to ASTM specification D 5798. If you have trouble
starting on E
-85, it may be because your E-85 fuel is
not properly formulated for your climate. If this
happens, switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to
your fuel tank may improve starting. Your vehicle is
designed to accommodate a mixture of gasoline and
E
-85 fuel. For good starting and heater efficiency below
32
F (0
C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain
no more than 70% ethanol.
E
-85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you'll
need to refill your fuel tank more often when using E
-85
than when you're using gasoline. Use regular gasoline
when pulling a trailer. For payload capacity with ethanol
fuel see ªLoading Your Vehicleº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Some additives are not compatible with E-85 fuel
and may harm your fuel system. Damage caused
by additives wouldn't be covered by your new
vehicle warranty. Don't use additives with
E
-85 fuel.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. It can corrode metal parts
in your fuel system and also damage plastic and
rubber parts. That damage wouldn't be covered
under your warranty. Don't use fuel containing
methanol.

6-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
Fuel vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near fuel or refueling your
vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from fuel.
The fuel cap is located
behind a hinged door
on the driver's side of
your vehicle.
While refueling, hang the cap by the tether from the
hook on the fuel filler door.

6-8
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; if
you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to
the right.
CAUTION:
If you get fuel on yourself and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too
quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is
nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any ªhissº
noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See ªCleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicleº in the Index.When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the
right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you
get the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This
may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. See ªMalfunction Indicator
Lampº in the Index.

6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
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.

6-10 Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle
located inside
the vehicle on
the lower left
side of the
instrument panel.
2. Lift the hood.
3. Release the hood prop from its retainer and put the
hood prop into the slot in the hood