2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO oil change

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Add uid only after checking the transmission uid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Don’t overll.
Notice:We recommend you use only uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, because uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by uid other than DEXRON
®-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check” listed previously.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the uid in your manual transmission
doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too little uid could cause
the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your ngers on the
transmission case.
5-22

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall off, causing a serious accident.8. After mounting the
spare, put the wheel
nuts back on with the
rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel.
Tighten each wheel nut
by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten
the nuts until the wheel
is held against the hub.
5-83

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary
to keep your vehicle in good working condition. Any
damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

When you go to your GM Goodwrench dealer for your
service needs, you will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM parts.
If you want to get service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-12.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8tells you what
should be checked, when to check it and what you can
easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12andNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-14. When your vehicle is serviced,
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine GM parts.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE OIL light comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle. Have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year.However, your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your GM Goodwrench dealer has GM-trained
service technicians who will perform this work using
genuine GM parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13for information on the Engine
Oil Life System and resetting the system.
When the CHANGE OIL light appears, certain services,
checks and inspections are required. Required services
are described in the following for “MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is recommended that your
rst service be MaintenanceI, your second service be
MaintenanceIIand that you alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However, in some cases,
MaintenanceIImay be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the CHANGE
OIL light comes on within ten months since vehicle was
purchased or MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the light comes on ten months
or more since the last service or if the light has not
come on at all for one year.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (g).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.An Emission Control Service. See footnote †.••
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-57.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transmission uid level and add uid as needed.•
6-5

Cargo Lamps................................................... 3-9
CD Messages........................................3-47, 3-58
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts.......1-24
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-53
Certication/Tire Label.....................................4-53
Chains, Tires..................................................5-72
CHANGE OIL.................................................3-33
Check Engine Light.........................................3-24
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-27
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking the Fluid Level..................................5-20
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-101
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-46
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System................................1-48, 1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-51
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...................................1-53, 1-58Child Restraints (cont.)
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-44
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-59
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-11
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-95
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-98
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels............................5-100
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-98
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-95
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-97
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-97
Cleaning Leather............................................5-96
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-40
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-97
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-99
Cleaning Tires..............................................5-100
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-96
Climate Control System...................................3-12
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-14
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-24
Compass Calibration.......................................2-39
3

U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-59
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-69
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-5
Up-Shift Light.........................................2-26, 3-22
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-71
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-95
Using Song List Mode.....................................3-56
Using the Recovery Hooks...............................4-43
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-50
Parking Your...............................................2-35
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders..................................................7-10
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-102
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-103
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-42
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-14
Visors...........................................................2-14
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-15
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-32
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-98
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-58
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-64
Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches..........................................4-65
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-14
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-70
Replacement...............................................5-70
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil
Life System)...............................................5-16
When to Check and Change Lubricant.......5-48, 5-49
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-37
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter........5-18
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill.....................................................4-69
15