2-104
CHECK OIL LEVEL
If the oil level in the vehicle is low this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct it as
necessary. You may need to need to let the vehicle cool
or warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure this
message will clear. Once the problem is corrected,
pressing the select button will clear this message from
the DIC display.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer fluid level is low this message will appear
on the DIC. Adding washer fluid will clear the message.
Pressing the select button will acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display.
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE
If the transmission fluid in the vehicle gets hot this
message will appear on the DIC. Driving with the
transmission fluid temperature high can cause damage to
the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it idle to allow the
transmission to cool. This message will clear when the
fluid temperature reaches a safe level.ICE POSSIBLE
If the outside temperature reaches a level where ice
could form on the roadway, this message may appear
on the DIC. If the temperature rises to a safe level the
message will clear. Pressing the select button will
acknowledge this message and clear it from the
DIC display.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
If the driver's door is not fully closed this message will
appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop
and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstacles,
and close the door again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC. Pressing the select button
will acknowledge this message and clear it from the
DIC display.
4-58 Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or a lower gear, under heavy
loads or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do
get the overheat warning, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into
PARK (P) yet. When parking uphill, turn your
wheels away from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-59
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move, even
when you're on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake firmly set.
If the transfer case on four-wheel drive vehicles is
in NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be free to roll,
even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not
in NEUTRAL. See ªFour
-Wheel Drive
(Automatic Transfer Case)º in the Index.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don't
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake system. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-15 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-17 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-20 Rear Axle
6
-21 Four-Wheel Drive
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-26 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes6
-33 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-36 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-38 Tires
6
-46 Appearance Care
6
-47 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-49 Care of Safety Belts
6
-50 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-54 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-55 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-55 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-56 Electrical System
6
-63 Replacement Bulbs
6
-63 Capacities and Specifications
6
-64 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
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.
6-18
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.
6-64 Wheel and Tires
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities
Cooling System 13.9 quarts (13.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning R
-134a 1.9 lbs. (0.9 kg). . . . . . . . . .
Use Refrigerant Oil, R
-134a Systems
Engine Oil with Filter 7.0 quarts (6.6 L). . . . . . . . . .
Transmission
(Drain and Refill) 5.0 quarts (4.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
Differential Fluid
Rear 4.0 pints (1.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front 2.6 pints (0.8 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank 18.7 U.S. gallons (70.8 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck the fluid level after filling.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine Oil Filter PF58*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter A2014C*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transmission
Filter Kit GM Part No. 24200796. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs 41
-965* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filter GF831*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper Blade 20.0 inches (50.8 cm). . . . .
Backglass Wiper Blade 14.0 inches (35.6 cm). . . . . .
*ACDelco
part number
7-22
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your dealer.
USAGE
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified
for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol of the proper viscosity.
To determine the preferred
viscosity for your vehicle's engine,
see ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only GM
Goodwrench
DEX-COOL or
Havoline DEX-COOL
Coolant. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index.
USAGEFLUID/LUBRICANT
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT
-3 brake fluid).
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen Washer
Solvent (GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI # 2, Category LB
or GC
-LB.
Power
Steering SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884
- 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.