2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN oil

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of the Vehicle.............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-14
Hood Release..............................................5-14
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-16
Engine Oil...................................................5-17
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)..............................5-24Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission)..............................5-27
Engine Coolant.............................................5-31
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-34
Engine Overheating.......................................5-34
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-36
Cooling System............................................5-37
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-41
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-42
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-43
Brakes........................................................5-44
Battery........................................................5-47
Jump Starting...............................................5-48
Rear Axle.......................................................5-54
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-55
Front Axle......................................................5-56
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-58
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-61
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-61
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps...................................5-61
License Plate Lamp......................................5-63
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-63
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-64
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

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 rell the fuel tank more often when using E85
than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-10.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm your vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. 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 the fuel
system and also damage 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 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.
5-9

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 to the lower
left of the steering
wheel.
5-14

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-37andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-34.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-48.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-47.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission) on page 5-24orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) on
page 5-27.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-48.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
J. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-37.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-42.L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-44.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-122.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-43.
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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-16for
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.
5-17

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the
dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended
oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-126.
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 5-16
for 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.
5-18

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
certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Look for this information on the oil container, and
use only those oils that are identied as meeting GM
Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol on
the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
5-19

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.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59. 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.
5-20

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 coming on, reset the system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Engine
Oil Life System:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, the
vehicle must be in PARK (P) to access this display.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-51orDIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 3-56.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC,
or the trip odometer reset stem if your vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, for more than ve seconds.
The oil life will change to 100%.
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.
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.
5-21