Gasoline Engine Warm-Up
When you’ve started your engine, let it run for
20 or 30 seconds to warm up before you put a load on
the engine.
Drive at moderate speeds for the first few miles,
especially in cold weather. Running a cold engine at
high speed can damage it. SeeHigh Idle Systemunder
Starting Your Diesel Engine on page 2-14
Restarting the Gasoline Engine While
Moving (Automatic Transmission)
If you have to restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, you’ll first have to shift the automatic
transmission to NEUTRAL (N). This safety feature
prevents starting the engine when the transmission is in
a drive gear.
Stopping the Gasoline Engine
Let your engine idle for a few seconds before turning it
off after you have finished driving your vehicle.
If you shift to NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P), set the
parking brake.
If your vehicle has a two-speed axle, put the range
selector in LOW. To be sure the axle has shifted into
LOW, engage the clutch and transmission; the vehicle
may move slightly when you do this.While your engine is idling before you turn it off, you
can make a list of any operational or handling concerns
to give to responsible maintenance personnel so
they can handle them right away.
Moisture will condense in a fuel tank that is almost
empty if the engine has not run for a while, even just
overnight under some conditions. So, it’s always best to
refuel your vehicle at the end of each run.
Starting Your Diesel Engine
If you have a Caterpillar®diesel engine, also refer to
your Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation &
Maintenance Manual for starting procedure.
For vehicles with the DURAMAX™ diesel engine, also
seeStarting Your DURAMAX™ Diesel Engine on
page 2-19.
To make starting easier in cold weather (below 32°F or
0°C), the proper viscosity engine oil should be used.
SeeEngine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-20orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20
orEngine Oil (DURAMAX™ Diesel) on page 5-25. It’s
also best to heat the engine oil first. You can do this by
using an engine coolant heater.
If you ever need to have your vehicle towed, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
2-14
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light
If this light comes on or
flashes while you are
driving, two things may
happen.
First, you will not notice any difference in engine
performance, but your tail pipe emissions may increase.
Second, your engine may not run properly or may
stall without warning. If either of these things happen,
drive or tow your vehicle to your dealer for service.
This light should come on when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running, as a check to show you
it is working. If it does not come on at all, have
it repaired.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Oil Pressure Gage
The engine oil pressure gage, on the lower right portion
of your instrument panel cluster, shows engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or in kPa
(kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings of
30 to 40 psi (205 to 275 kPa) on gasoline engines at
operating temperature and moderate road speeds
are normal. If you have a diesel engine, the normal
operating range should be between 35 and 70 psi
(240 to 480 kPa).
United StatesCanada
3-37
•SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, if it is going to be 0°F
(−18°C) or above and SAE 5W-30 is not available,
you may use SAE 10W-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil container,
and useonlythose oils that are identified as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil container.Notice:Use only engine oil identi ed as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing 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
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), 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
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the API service symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
5-23
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for these two things:
•CI-4 or CH-4
Oils designated as API CI-4 or CH-4 are
recommended for your vehicle. The CI-4 or CH-4
designations may appear either alone, together or in
combination with other API designations, such as
API CI-4/SL.
These letters show American Petroleum
Institute (API) levels of quality.
Notice:If you use oil that does not have this
designation, CH-4, you can cause engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
Notice:Use only engine oils that have one of these
designations CI-4 or CH-4 for the DURAMAX™ diesel
engine. Failure to use the recommended oils can
result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
•SAE 15W-40
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 15W-40 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 10W-30 at temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
When it is very cold, below 0°F (−18°C), you should
use SAE 5W-40 to improve cold starting.
These numbers on the oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 10W-40 or SAE 20W-50.
This doughnut-shaped
logo (symbol) is used on
most oil containers to
help you select the correct
oil. It means that the oil
has been certified by
the American Petroleum
Institute.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
onlythose oils that display this logo.
GM Goodwrench
®oil of the recommended viscosity
grades meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
5-28
Part C: 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
(Gasoline
Engine)Engine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certified for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, see “Engine Oil” in the
Index.
Engine Oil
(DURAMAX™
Diesel Engine)Engine oil with the letters CI-4 or
CH-4 is best for your vehicle. The
CI-4 or CH-4 designation may
appear either alone or in
combination with other API
designations, such as API CI-4/SL.
These letters show American
Petroleum Institute levels of quality.
To determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s diesel engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil
(Caterpillar
®
Diesel Engine)See the Caterpillar
®Operation &
Maintenance Manual for engine oil
recommendations.
Engine Coolant
(Caterpillar
®
Diesel Engine)See the Caterpillar
®Operation &
Maintenance Manual for engine
coolant recommendations.
Engine Coolant
(Gasoline
Engine &
DURAMAX™
Diesel)50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Clutch Bearing
LubricantClutch Bearing Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12378484 or equivalent NLGI #3
consistency).
Exhaust Brake
Ball Joint Cap
LubricantHigh-Temperature Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 1051344, in Canada
903037) or NLGI #3 consistency.
Power Steering
SystemDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
6-29