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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 re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, 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.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle
with this symbol
on it. It is located
inside the vehicle
on the lower
left side of the
instrument panel.
2. Release the secondary latch on the hood.
It is located below the front center of
the hood.
3. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps
are on properly. Then pull the hood down and
close it rmly.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the engine, this is what you will see:
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 346.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 335.
C. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 328.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 345.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If
Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 329.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 323.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System
on page 340.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See
Jump Starting on page 352.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 323.
J. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 352.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 347.L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 351.
N. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 334.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 322
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. 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.
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area (L),
you will need to add at least one quart/liter 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 422.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 322for the
location of the engine
oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back in when
you are through.
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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.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30
is best for your vehicle.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 certi ed by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil
container, and use only those oils that are identi ed
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.
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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
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
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 OIL message will
come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 196. 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 lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained 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.
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