Driver’s Name Set/Recall
If your vehicle has the optional memory package, you
will have this feature. This feature allows individual
driver’s names to be displayed in the DIC when
the ignition is turned to ON. This feature only works
when the remote keyless entry transmitter is used
to unlock the vehicle or when buttons 1 or 2 on the
driver’s door are pressed. See your dealer for assistance
in programming this feature.
Exiting Feature Programming
To exit FEATURE PROGRAMMING, press the INFO
RESET or INFO button.
Trip Computer
Oil Life Indicator
This feature lets you know when to change the engine
oil. It is based on the engine oil temperatures and
your driving patterns.
To see the display, press the INFO button several times
until ENGINE OIL LIFE appears. If you see 99% ENGINE
OIL LIFE, 99 percent of your current oil life remains.
The DIC may display a CHANGE ENGINE OIL message.
For more information, seeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4. If you see CHANGE ENGINE OIL, it means the
oil life is gone and you should change the oil right away.
The system does not check how much oil you have, so
you will still have to check for that. To see how, see
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
When the oil is changed, you will need to reset the
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13. Always keep a
written record of the mileage and date when you
changed your oil.
3-74
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will find experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
•Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
•Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
•Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
•Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
•Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
•Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
•Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-21
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
•make sure the parking brake has released.
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 are
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid (do
not overfill), engine oil, drive 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
are trailering, it is a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
4-44
Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-20
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-49
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming...........................5-51
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-53
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-53
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-54
Headlamps..................................................5-54
Front Turn Signal Lamps...............................5-57
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)....................................5-58
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-60
Tires..............................................................5-61
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-68
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-69
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-71
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-72
Buying New Tires.........................................5-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-74
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
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. However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations. General
Motors recommends that you buy gasolines that
are advertised to help keep fuel injectors and intake
valves clean. If your vehicle experiences problems due
to dirty injectors or valves, try a different brand of
gasoline.
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 specifications 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 find. 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.
5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never fill 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 fill 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 fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.
•Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a fire. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, 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.
5-10
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-37.
B. Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood Fuse
Block”Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97.
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
D. Engine Oil Fill Location. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes
on page 5-38.
G. Transaxle Fluid Cap and Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-20.
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-26
andCooling System on page 5-29.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 “CHECK OIL LEVEL” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-55.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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 loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
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.
5-13
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 will need to add at least one
quart of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil
crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and Speci cations
on page 5-104.
Notice:Do not 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.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Turn the cap counterclockwise to remove it.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range in the cross-hatched area.
Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are
through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
•GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for and use
only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
5-14