2002 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER tow

5-33
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have a
four
-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear.
By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after
a few tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you can
use your recovery hooks if your vehicle has them. If you
do need to be towed out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.
Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle may be equipped with recovery hooks.
The recovery hooks are provided at the front of your
vehicle. You may need to use them if you're stuck
off
-road and need to be pulled to some place where
you can continue driving.

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CAUTION:
The recovery hooks, when used, are under a lot
of force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hooks at a sideways angle. The
hooks could break off and you or others could be
injured from the chain or cable snapping back.
NOTICE:
Never use the recovery hooks to tow the vehicle.
Your vehicle could be damaged and it would not
be covered by warranty.

6-11
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Indicator
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Radiator Pressure Cap
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Front Engine Lift Bracket Marked ªGNDº
K. Brake Master Cylinder
L. Battery
M. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from its slot in the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then pull the
hood down firmly to close. It will latch when dropped
from 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) without pressing on
the hood.Engine Oil
If the CHECK 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 Oil Level Messageº 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.
The engine oil dipstick
handle is a yellow ring
located in the engine
compartment toward the
passenger's side of the
vehicle. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more
information on location.

6-12
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.
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 L 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
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
F mark
that shows the proper operating range, your
engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap
is located in the engine
compartment toward the
passenger's side of the
vehicle. 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.

6-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter
is located toward the front
of the engine compartment
on the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on engine air cleaner/filter location.
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 engine
air cleaner/filter air duct.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index
for more information on engine air cleaner/filter
indicator location.
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.

6-18
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 50,000 miles
(83 000 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.
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.

6-20
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
Locate the handle with the
transmission and lock
symbols for the automatic
transmission dipstick in
the engine compartment
on the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
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. 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.
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.

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CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you
can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later,
if you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:

You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.

You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.