Page 318 of 407

6-20Automatic 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 90 F (32 C) 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 319 of 407

6-21Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90 F (32 C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180 F
to 200 F (82 C to 93 C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50 F
(10 C). If it's colder than 50 F (10 C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine run at
idle for five minutes if outside temperatures are 50 F
(10 C) or more. If it's colder than 50 F (10 C), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid
level be low during this cold check, you must check the
fluid hot before adding fluid. Checking the fluid hot will
give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level. Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Page 320 of 407
6-22 Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
Your vehicle will have
either the transmission
dipstick handle labeled
ªTRANS/LOCKº or
will be labeled with
the graphic shown.
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.
Page 321 of 407

6-23How 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; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place. Rear Axle When to Check Lubricant Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
The proper level is from 5/8 inch to 1 5/8 inch
(15 mm to 40 mm) below the bottom of the filler plug
hole. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level.
Page 380 of 407
Scheduled Maintenance
7-1150,000 Miles (83 000 km) Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90 F (32 C) 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 at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km) Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.) ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:
MILEAGEDATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:
MILEAGEDATE
Page 383 of 407

Scheduled Maintenance
7-1497,500 Miles (162 500 km) Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km) Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.
Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90 F (32 C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transmission
fluid, change both the fluid and filter.
Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service. ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:
MILEAGEDATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:
MILEAGEDATE
Page 387 of 407

7-18 Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very
cold, damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed.
See ªAutomatic Transmission Fluidº in the Index.
A fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system
and repair if needed. At Least Once a Year Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood latch assembly, secondary latch, pivots,
spring anchor, release pawl, door hinges, liftgate hinge,
liftgate linkage, liftgate handle pivot points, latch bolt, fuel
door hinge, locks and folding seat hardware. Part D tells
you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Page 392 of 407

7-23Part 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 Oil Engine 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 Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and use only
GM Goodwrench
DEX
- COOL
or Havoline
DEX
- COOL
Coolant. See ªEngine Coolantº
in the Index. USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT
Hydraulic
Brake System Delco Supreme 11
Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT
- 3 brake fluid).
Windshield
Washer Solvent GM Optikleen
Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Power
Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052884
- 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
Automatic
Transmission DEXRON
- III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key
Lock Cylinders Multi
- Purpose Lubricant,
Superlube
(GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Chassis
Lubrication Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12377985 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI # 2,
Category LB or GC
- LB.