2009 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER fuel additives

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
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-28
Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-34
Engine Overheating.......................................5-35Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-48
Rear Axle.......................................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive
............................................5-50
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-52
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-53
License Plate Lamp......................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-58
Winter Tires.................................................5-59
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-62
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-65
High-Speed Operation...................................5-66
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 4.2L L6 engine (VIN Code S) or
the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code M), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 6.0L V8 engine (VIN Code H),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s
acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might
notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might
notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-39. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-6

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer/retailer has additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This 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 the
vehicle warranty.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 the vehicle 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.
5-7

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-39
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-68
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-118
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-24
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-24
Air Conditioning......................................3-20, 3-22
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-33
Readiness Light..........................................3-32
Airbag System................................................1-55
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-68
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-61
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-63
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-68
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-61
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-62
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-60
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-58
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-48
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-10
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-111
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-111Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-37
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels......................................5-115
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-112
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-116
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-113
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-111
Finish Care...............................................5-114
Finish Damage..........................................5-116
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-112
Interior Cleaning........................................5-109
Leather....................................................5-111
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-116
Tires........................................................5-115
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-116
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-113
Weatherstrips............................................5-112
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades......5-114
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-10
Ashtray.........................................................3-19
Audio System.................................................3-62
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-109
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-111
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-111
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual..............................3-85
Radio Reception........................................3-110
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-108
1

Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Check Gas Cap Light...................................3-47
Driving for Better Economy............................. 4-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-47
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-119
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-119
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-122
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-118
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-38
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Oil Pressure...............................................3-42
Speedometer..............................................3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-30
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-35
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-48Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-46
Glove Box.....................................................2-53
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints..............................................1-10
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-52
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-52
Daytime Running Lamp................................3-14
Electrical System.......................................5-118
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-20
Engine Coolant...........................................2-25
Heater...........................................................3-22
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-45
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................5-66
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-29
6