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{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the
coolant surge tank
pressure cap when
the cooling system,
including the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap and upper
radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait
for that to stop. A hiss means there is
still some pressure left.2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark.
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4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level reaches
slightly above the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan.
When the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine. In most
everyday driving conditions, the clutch is not fully
engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading,
trailer towing and/or high outside temperatures, the
fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is
normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is
merely the cooling system functioning properly.
The fan will slow down when additional cooling is
not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
disengages.
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Power Steering Fluid
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 363to
determine when to check your power steering fluid.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the
engine is warm. If the engine is not warm, you
probably will not get an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is between the MIN (Minimum) and
MAX (Maximum) marks, you have enough. If you
need fluid, add only enough of the proper fluid to
bring it in between the MIN and MAX marks.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can
cause the brake or service brakes soon warning
lights to come on. In addition, the steering
effort and emergency brake distance could
increase.If either light remains on after you have added
power steering fluid to the proper level, then shut
off the engine for 10 seconds. This should
reset the brake warning lights. If one or both lights
stay on, see “Hydraulic Brake System Warning
Lights” underBrake System Warning Light
on page 169for more information.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Part C: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 397.
Notice:When adding power steering uid or
making a complete uid change, always
use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses
and seals.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a fluid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid
until the tank is full.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in
the engine compartment on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it
is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
If your vehicle has
hydraulic brakes, there
is a brake master
cylinder in the engine
compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle.
Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to
check the brake fluid.
{CAUTION:
Do not add brake uid before you check
the level. If you do, you could get too
much brake uid. Brake uid could spill
on the hot engine and it can catch re.
You could be burned and your vehicle
could be damaged. See “Checking Brake
Fluid” in this section.
Checking Brake Fluid
Apply the brake pedal several times with the
ignition off. The brake fluid reservoir is in
the engine compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. Clean one of the reservoir caps and
the area around the cap, and remove it.
The fluid level should be
even with the bottom
ring of the filler opening.
If it is low, add enough
fluid to fill the reservoir to
the proper level.
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What to Add
Use the proper fluid listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap/cover
and the area around the cap/cover before
removing it. This will help keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they will have to
be replaced. Do not let someone put in the
wrong kind of uid, and do not use DOT-5
silicone brake uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake uid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 335.
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Electric Air Compressor
Your vehicle may have an electric air compressor.
This compressor is used to run options that
require pressurized air, such as an air horn, air
seat, 7.8L engine exhaust restrictor, or 7.8L engine
exhaust brake.
The air compressor is used when vehicles do not
have an air brake system.
The air supply for
this system must be
maintained by releasing
the drain valve to eject
any moisture that
may have built up in
the system.
It is recommended that this system be drained on
a weekly basis.
Clutch Pedal Free Travel
If you have a V8 engine and a manual
transmission, the clutch will need adjustment
when pedal free travel gets down to about 1/4 inch
(6 mm), as measured at the clutch pedal pad.
You should have 1 1/2 to 2 inches (38 to 51 mm)
of clutch pedal free travel.
If the clutch ever needs service, be sure to use
only GM clutch replacement parts.
Chassis Lubrication
Your Maintenance Schedule provides all of the
required chassis lubrication intervals and identifies
proper lubricants to use. Be sure to see the
Maintenance Schedule before performing any
chassis lubrication service. To determine location of
chassis lubrication items, use the following charts.
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Item Number Item Remarks
4 Pivot Points and Hinges Apply chassis lubricant.
5 Pivot Points and Hinges Apply chassis lubricant.
6 Slack Adjuster** One fitting.
7Brake Cam Roller Pins at interface of pin
and shoe**Apply engine oil.
8 Front Steering KnucklesOne fitting each side, lower bushing.
(Hand-operated grease gun only.) Hand-pack
upper bearing.
9 Front Wheel Bearings Hand-pack or lubricate.
10 Steering Tie Rod Ends One fitting each end.
11 Spring Slip Pads* (Multi-Leaf Only) Apply chassis lubricant.
12 Clutch Release Bearing* Cup or fitting.
13 Battery Terminal (except “ST” type) Keep coated with petroleum jelly.
14 Transmission Fill to level of filler plug.
15 Propshaft U-JointsLubricate with GM Part No. 1051344 Wheel
Bearing Lubricant.
16 Parking Brake Clevis Pin$ Apply chassis lubricant.
17 Parking Brake Lever Pivot*, $ Apply chassis lubricant.
18Clutch Release Cross Shaft, Master
Cylinder$Apply chassis lubricant, fill to 1/4 inch (6 mm)
below opening.
19 Release Bearing, Clutch Cross Shaft Two fittings, apply chassis lubricant.
20 Clutch Release Fork Two fittings.
* Applies to some vehicles.
** Applies to air brakes only.
$ Applies to hydraulic brakes only.
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