2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE Engine compartment

6-17
8100 Engines All Other Engines
The engine oil fill cap
for the VORTEC 4800,
5300, 6000 and 8100 V8
engines is located on the
engine valve cover, on
the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
Your vehicle may have a cap with text and a graphic,
or just a graphic as shown. 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.

6-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter assembly has an indicator
that lets you know when the air filter is dirty and needs
to be serviced. The indicator is located on the air cleaner
cover. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
See ªOwner Checks and Servicesº in the Index to
determine when to check the indicator.
The service window A with
the percentage scale shows
the amount of engine air
cleaner/filter life used.
When both service
window A and service
window B turn orange,
replace the engine
air cleaner/filter.
After changing the air filter, press the top button on the
indicator to reset it.
Your engine air cleaner/filter is located in the front
corner of the engine compartment on the passenger's
side of the vehicle. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for more information
on location.

6-26
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The red transmission
dipstick handle with the
TRANS/LOCK text or
graphic is located at the rear
of the engine compartment,
on the passenger's side.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and
wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area,
below the cross±hatched area, for a cold check or in
the HOT area or cross±hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.

6-33 Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank 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.
CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your engine is
cold, the coolant level should be at the FILL COLD mark.
If the LOW COOLANT
light comes on and stays on,
it means you're low on
engine coolant.
See ªLow Coolantº in the Index.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is hand-tight.

6-34
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure CapYour vehicle may be
equipped with one of the two
caps shown. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in
the Index for more
information on location.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank.
NOTICE:
Your coolant surge tank pressure cap is a 15 psi
(105 kPa) pressure
-type cap and must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss and possible
engine damage from overheating.

6-36 When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level
up to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for reservoir location.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until
the tank is full.

6-37
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is located in the
rear of the engine
compartment on the driver's
side of the vehicle.
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with
DOT
-3 brake fluid. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won't work well, or won't work at all.

6-41 Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake
parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you need new ones put in
-- be sure you get
new approved GM replacement parts. If you don't, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you've come to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco
battery. When it's time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
battery. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for battery location.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.