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Checking Things Under
the Hood
{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
1. To open the hood,
rst pull the handle
with this symbol
on it. It is located
inside the vehicle
under the instrument
panel on the
driver’s side.2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and push
the secondary hood latch up and to the right
to release it, then 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. Check to make sure the hood
is closed and repeat the process if necessary.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 339.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 349.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 357.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 356.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 341.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 334.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 347.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 334.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 362.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 358.
K. Battery. SeeBattery on page 361.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 435.
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A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 349.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 339.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 357.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 334.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 341.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 334.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 347.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 362.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 356.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 358.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 435.
L. Battery. SeeBattery on page 361.
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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 330
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.
When to Add Engine Oil
4.2L L6 Engine
5.3L V8 Engine
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When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message
will come on in the Driver Information Center
(DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 199. Change the 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, the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this work and reset
the system. It is also important to check the 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 the last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter 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 message being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System, do the
following:
1. Use the fuel button on the Driver Information
Center to reach the ENGINE OIL LIFE screen.
2. Press and hold the select button on the
Driver Information Center ve seconds
while ENGINE OIL LIFE is displayed.
3. OIL LIFE RESET will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) display for
10 seconds to let you know the system
is reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes
back on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil
life system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals
listed inAdditional Required Services on page 452,
and be sure to use the transmission uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 458.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid could come out
and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system
parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
drive the vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains steady
for 10 minutes.
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{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times
a year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 458for more information.
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Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking off
the cap.
Look at the brake uid
reservoir. The uid level
should be above
MIN. If it is not, have
your brake system
checked to see if there
is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not
over the MAX mark.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 458.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap 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.
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 427.
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