2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO oil dipstick

2-119
Reduced Engine Power
(V8 Gasoline Engines Only)
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot
and the engine further
enters the engine coolant
protection mode.
If your vehicle is equipped with the 8.1L engine, this
light may come on because of an electronic throttle
control system fault. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the
Index for further information.
Check Eng Oil Pressure
This message is displayed
when the engine oil pressure
is low.
See ªOil Pressure Gageº in the Index for
more information.
Check Eng Oil Level (Gasoline Engine)
This message is displayed
when the engine oil
level is low.
Once oil is added, it may need time to drain and settle in
the engine before this message will turn off. It is best to
let the engine cool down (if it is hot) or warm up (if it is
cold) and cycle the ignition to be sure this message turns
off. Refer to the dipstick for the correct level.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index on how to check the oil
level and for what type of oil to add.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you lift up the hood on the VORTEC 4300 V6 engine, you'll see the following:
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
(If Equipped)F. F a n
G. Engine Oil Fill
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Remote Negative (
-)
Terminal (GND)
J. Remote Positive (+) TerminalK. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Underhood Fuse Block
N. Battery
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

6-11
When you lift up the hood on the VORTEC 5300 V8 engine (VORTEC 4800 and 6000 V8 engines similar), you will
see the following:
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
(If Equipped)F. Engine Oil Fill
G. Fan
H. Remote Negative (
-)
Terminal (GND)
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
J. Remote Positive (+) TerminalK. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Underhood Fuse Block
N. Battery
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

6-12
When you lift up the hood on the VORTEC 8100 V8 engine you will see the following:
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
(If Equipped)F. Engine Oil Fill
G. Fan
H. Remote Negative (
-)
Terminal (GND)
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
J. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirK. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Underhood Fuse Block
N. Battery
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

6-14
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªEngine Oil
(Diesel Engine)º in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
If the CHECK ENG OIL
LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see ªCHECK ENG OIL LEVELº
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.
8100 V8 Engine All Other Engines
The engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring handle and is
located in the engine compartment on the passenger's
side of the vehicle. 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.

6-15
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.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark 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
cross
-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
8100 V8 Engine All Other Engines

6-16
Your vehicle may have a
cap with text and a graphic,
or just a graphic as shown.
The engine oil fill cap for the VORTEC 4800, 5300 and
6000 V8 engines is located on the engine valve cover on
the passenger's side of the vehicle. On the 8100 engine,
the oil fill cap is located on the front of the 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.What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

6-26
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Only)
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 25,000 miles
(41 500 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 50,000 miles (83 000 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.
Too little fluid could cause the transmission to
overheat. 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.