Page 271 of 390

6-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid
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 15,000 miles
(25 000 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, change the fluid and filter
every 100,000 miles (166 000 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.
Page 273 of 390
6-26
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transmission
dipstick has a red ring
handle located in the rear
of the engine compartment
toward the center of the
vehicle. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more
information on location.
1. 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.
Page 274 of 390

6-27 How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.)
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON
-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under ªHow to Check.º
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to change your transmission fluid.
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 your Chevrolet dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
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.
Page 318 of 390

6-71
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Cooling System
1.6L Engine (Canada Only) 5.8 quarts (5.5 L). . . . . .
2.0L Engine 6.9 quarts (6.5 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5L Engine 8.5 quarts (8.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil with Filter
1.6L Engine (Canada Only) 4.4 quarts (4.2 L)**. . . .
2.0L Engine 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5L Engine 5.8 quarts (5.5 L)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank
Tw o
-Door Convertible 14.8 U.S. gallons (56 L). . . . .
Four
-Door Hardtop 16.9 U.S. gallons (64 L). . . . . . . Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill 2.6 quarts (2.5 L)*. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transmission
Four
-Wheel Drive 1.6 quarts (1.5 L)*. . . . . . . . . . . .
Tw o
-Wheel Drive 2.0 quarts (1.9 L)*. . . . . . . . . . . .
Differential
Front 1.1 quarts (1.0 L)*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 2.3 quarts (2.2 L)*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer Case1.8 quarts (1.7 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
*Recheck fluid level after filling. See ªAutomatic
Transmission Fluidº or ªManual Transmission Fluidº
in the Index.
**When changing the oil filter, additional oil may be
needed. Recheck the oil level after filling. See ªEngine
Oilº in the Index.
Page 325 of 390

Scheduled Maintenance
7-5
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if
any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures
are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if you
operate your vehicle under any of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine oil to break down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Inspection (If Equipped).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Front Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD only) (or at each
brake relining, whichever occurs first). Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Manual Transmission Fluid Change. Transfer Case
Fluid Change. Differential Fluid Change. Valve Lash
(Clearance) Adjustment (1.6L Code 6 engine only).
Propeller Shafts and U
-Joints Inspection (or every
15 months, whichever occurs first).
(Continued)
Page 326 of 390

Scheduled Maintenance
7-6
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement. Passenger Compartment Air
Filter Replacement (If Equipped). Ignition Coil Plug
Cap Inspection (or every 30 months, whichever
occurs first). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection
(or every 30 months, whichever occurs first). Cooling
System Service (or every 30 months, whichever
occurs first). Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Fuel Filter Replacement (or every 30 months,
whichever occurs first).
Every 45,000 Miles (75 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Fluid Hose Inspection (or every
45 months, whichever occurs first).
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Fuel Tank Cap
Gasket Replacement. Emission System Hoses
Inspection. Camshaft Timing Belt Replacement
(1.6L Code 6 engine only). Brake Fluid Service.
Spark Plug Replacement. Spark Plug Wire
Replacement (or every 60 months, whichever
occurs first).
At 90,000 Miles (150 000 km): Camshaft Timing Belt
Inspection (1.6L Code 6 engine only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 120,000 Miles (200 000 km): Evaporative
Emissions Canister and Air Suction Filter
Replacement (or every 120 months, whichever occurs
first). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Replacement
(or every 120 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Page 327 of 390
Scheduled Maintenance
7-7
Long Trip/Highway Definition
Follow this scheduled maintenance only if none of
the conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 7.5 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Inspection
(If Equipped). Valve Lash (Clearance) Adjustment
(1.6L Code 6 engine only). Propeller Shafts and
U
-Joints Inspection (or every 15 months,
whichever occurs first).
Page 328 of 390

Scheduled Maintenance
7-8
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection (or every 30 months, whichever
occurs first). Cooling System Service (or every
30 months, whichever occurs first). Fuel Tank, Cap
and Lines Inspection. Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement (If Equipped). Ignition Coil Plug Cap
Inspection (or every 30 months, whichever occurs
first). Front Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD only)
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
Manual Transmission Fluid Change. Transfer Case
Fluid Change. Differential Fluid Change. Fuel Filter
Replacement (or every 30 months, whichever
occurs first).
Every 45,000 Miles (75 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Fluid Hose Inspection (or every
45 months, whichever occurs first).
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Fuel Tank Cap
Gasket Replacement. Emission System Hoses
Inspection. Camshaft Timing Belt Replacement
(1.6L Code 6 engine only). Spark Plug Replacement.
Spark Plug Wire Replacement (or every 60 months,
whichever occurs first) (1.6L Code 6 engine only).
Brake Fluid Service.
At 90,000 Miles (150 000 km): Camshaft Timing Belt
Inspection (1.6L Code 6 engine only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 120,000 Miles (200 000 km): Evaporative
Emissions Canister and Air Suction Filter
Replacement (or every 120 months, whichever
occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.