2003 CHEVROLET SSR engine

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives that will
help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from
forming, allowing your emission control system to
work properly. You should not have to add anything to
your fuel. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area to contribute to clean air.
General Motors recommends that you use these
gasolines, particularly if they comply with the
specications described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
does not recommend the use of such gasolines.Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs
and the performance of the emission control system
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in
the country where you will be driving.
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Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries
to you and others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island. Turn off
your engine when you are refueling. Do not
smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your
vehicle. Keep sparks, ames, and smoking
materials away from fuel. Do not leave the
fuel pump unattended when refueling your
vehicle — this is against the law in some
places. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
5-8

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury
to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer
and other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the engine, you’ll see:
5-12

A. Remote Positive Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-36for more information.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-24for more information.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14
for more information.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14
for more information.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-21
for more information.
F. Engine Cover. SeeEngine Cover on page 5-19
for more information.G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20for more information.
H. Remote Negative Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-36for more information.
I. Power Steering Reservoir. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-31for more information.
J. Brake Master Cylinder. SeeBrakes on page 5-33
for more information.
K. Underhood Fuse Block Cover. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-82for more information.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-32for more information.
5-13

Engine Oil
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. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.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.
5-14

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the hole at the tip of the dipstick,
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 engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specications on page 5-90.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
hole, your engine could be damaged.The engine oil ll cap is
located in the engine
compartment toward the
passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Be sure to ll it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you’re through.
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identied
by looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certied by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use
any oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you choose to perform
the engine oil change
service yourself, be sure
the oil you use has
the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil
container. If you have
your oil changed for you,
be sure the oil put into
your engine is American
Petroleum Institute certied
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.
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