Page 381 of 538
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
We recommend against the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of
spark plugs and the performance of the emission
control system could be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer/retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. 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.
Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the
law in some places. Do not re-enter the
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children
away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
381
ProCarManuals.com
Page 384 of 538
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping gasoline.
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.
384
ProCarManuals.com
Page 387 of 538
A. Radiator Pressure Cap (Out of View). See
Radiator Pressure Cap on page 399.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 402.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 479.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 414.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 408.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 387.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 387.
H. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 394.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 410.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 392.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 409.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 386
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.
387
ProCarManuals.com
Page 388 of 538
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, you 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 Specifications on page 483.
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 386for the
location of the engine oil
ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range in the
cross-hatched area. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
388
ProCarManuals.com
Page 389 of 538
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. 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
have the starburst
symbol on the
container. This
symbol indicates that
the oil has been
certi ed by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
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.
389
ProCarManuals.com
Page 390 of 538
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 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 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 ENGINE OIL SOON
message will come on. 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 might 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/retailer has
trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine parts 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 the 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.
390
ProCarManuals.com
Page 391 of 538
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change the engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed, reset the system
so it can calculate when the next oil change is
required. If a situation occurs where you change the
oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message being turned on, reset the system.
If your vehicle does not have Driver Information
Center (DIC) buttons:
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) to access
this display. Press the trip odometer reset
stem until OIL LIFE REMAINING displays.
2. Press and hold the trip odometer reset stem
until OIL LIFE REMAINING shows 100%. You
will hear three chimes and the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will go off.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when you start your vehicle,
the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.If your vehicle has Driver Information Center (DIC)
buttons:
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
2. Press the vehicle information button until OIL
LIFE REMAINING displays.
3. Press and hold the set/reset button until 100%
is displayed. You will hear three chimes and
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
will go off.
4. Turn the key to OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when you start your vehicle, the
engine oil life system has not reset. Repeat
the procedure.
391
ProCarManuals.com
Page 392 of 538
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can
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 lter 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 used oil, ask your
dealer/retailer, a service station, or a local
recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/ lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after
each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 488for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine oil
change.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 386
for the location of the engine air cleaner/ lter.
392
ProCarManuals.com
