
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in acceleration,
braking, handling, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment,
and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
•There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where
you live but also where you’ll be driving. A
good source for this information can be state
or provincial police.
•Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches”
later in this section.
•Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
•Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
•See also “Driving on Grades” later in this
section.
Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
•the weight of the trailer
•the weight of the trailer tongue
•and the weight on your vehicle’s tires
267

To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the
E85 fuel must be formulated properly for your
climate according to ASTM specification D 5798.
If you have trouble starting on E85, it may be
because your E85 fuel is not properly formulated
for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to your fuel tank may
improve starting. For good starting and heater
efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel
tank should contain no more than 70% ethanol.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly between
gasoline and E85. If you do switch fuels, it
is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible — do not add less than three gallons
(11 L) when refueling. You should drive the
vehicle immediately after refueling for at least
seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt
to the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so
you will need to refill your fuel tank more often
when using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 292.Notice:Some additives are not compatible
with E85 fuel and may harm your vehicle’s fuel
system. Damage caused by additives would
not be covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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.
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.
291

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 the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine)
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and filter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A change engine oil light will
come on. SeeChange Engine Oil Light on
page 183. Change your oil 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 oil life system may not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and filter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system. It is also important
to check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
300

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and filter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a change engine oil light
being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the change engine oil light, do
the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the
engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
slowly three times within five seconds.
3. If the Change Engine Oil light flashes for
five seconds, the system is reset.
4. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the change engine oil light comes back on when
you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure. If it still does
not reset, see your dealer for service. See
Change Engine Oil Light on page 183.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very
long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used
oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of your
used oil, ask your dealer, a service station, or a
local recycling center for help.
301

3. Clean the engine air cleaner/filter housing.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
Make sure that the filter fits properly into
the housing.
5. Reinstall the cover and fasten the
retaining clips.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/
lter off can cause you or others to be
burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the
air; it helps to stop ames if the engine
back res. If it is not there and the engine
back res, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner/ lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/ lter is off, a back re
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/ lter in
place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
fluid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine)
on page 402, and be sure to use the transmission
fluid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 409.
303

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with
top-quality GM brake parts. When you replace parts
of your braking system — for example, when your
brake linings wear down and you need new ones
put in — be sure you get new approved GM
replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For example, if someone
puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking performance
you have come to expect can change in many other
ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery.
When it is time for a new battery, get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
replacement battery. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 296for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
323

If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, always use
one of the correct rotation patterns shown
here when rotating your tires.
When you install dual wheels, be sure that vent
holes in the inner and outer wheels on each
side are lined up.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear inflation pressures as shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 259. Make certain that
all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities and Speci cations
on page 393.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from 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 needed, to get all the rust or dirt
off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 360.
Dual Rear Wheels
352

5. Remove all the
wheel nuts.
6. Take flat tire off of the mounting surface.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts
to which it is fastened, can make the
wheel nuts become loose after time. The
wheel could come off and cause an
accident. When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from the places
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 needed, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
7. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces and
spare wheel.
369