2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE Engine compartment overview

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

5-4
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able
to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put the automatic
transmission in PARK (P), or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL (N) before setting the parking brake.
If you have a four
-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear not in NEUTRAL.
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessory power outlets. Turn off the
radio and all the lamps that aren't needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and
negative (
-) terminal locations of the other vehicle.
Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting
terminal and a remote negative (
-) jump starting
terminal. You should always use these remote
terminals instead of the terminals on the battery.
The remote positive (+) terminal is located behind
a red plastic cover near the engine accessory drive
bracket. To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal,
open the red plastic cover.
The remote negative (
-) terminal is located on
the engine drive bracket on all V8 diesel engines.
On V8 engines it is marked ªGND.º
On V6 engines the remote negative (
-) terminal is
located on a tab attached to the engine accessory
drive bracket where it is marked ªGND.º
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index
for more information on location.

6-12 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the VORTEC 5300 V8 engine (VORTEC 4800 and 6000 V8 engines similar), you'll see
the following:

6-15
Engine Oil
If the CHECK ENG OIL
LEVEL message 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 Engines 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.

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.