2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN engine

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the VORTECŸ 5300 V8 engine (VORTECŸ 4800 and 6000 V8 engines similar), you'll
see the following:
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Cooling System on
page 5-36.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-26.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-36.
H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-49.I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-43.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-49.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See
Brakes on
page 5-45.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-109.
M. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-48.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-44.
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When you open the hood on the VORTECŸ 8100 V8 engine you'll see the following:
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Cooling System on
page 5-36.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-26.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-36.
H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-49.I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-49.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-43.
K. Brake Master Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on
page 5-45.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-109.
M. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-48.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-44.
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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 LEVELº under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-64.
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 has
a yellow ring handle and
is located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger's side of the
vehicle. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-14
for more
information on location.
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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 cross-hatched area 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, see
Capacities and Speci®cations on
page 5-118.
Notice:Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, your engine could be damaged.
8.1L Engine
All Other Engines
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The engine oil ®ll cap for
the VORTECŸ 4800,
5300, 6000 and 8100 V8
engine is located on
the engine valve cover, on
the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
Your vehicle may have a cap with text and a graphic, or
just a graphic as shown. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for 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.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identi®ed by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certi®ed 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 certi®ed
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.
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As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is the
only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle. You
should look for and use only oils which have the API
Starburst symbol and which are also identi®ed as
SAE 5W-30. If you cannot ®nd such SAE 5W-30 oils,
you can use an SAE 10W-30 oil which has the API
Starburst symbol, if it's going to be 0ÉF (-18ÉC)
or above. Do not use other viscosity grade oils, such as
SAE 10W-40 or SAE 20W-50 under any conditions.
Notice:Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
žoil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below-20ÉF (-29ÉC), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
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