
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane orhigher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you coulddamage the engine. If heavy knocking is heard whenusing gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engineneeds service.
Gasoline Specifications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specificationD 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines contain anoctane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommendagainst the use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 6-6for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California EmissionsStandards, it is designed to operate on fuels thatmeet California specifications. See the underhoodemission control label. If this fuel is not availablein states adopting California emissions standards, thevehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federalspecifications, but emission control system performancemight be affected. The malfunction indicator lampcould turn on and the vehicle might fail asmog-check test.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4-57. If thisoccurs, return to your authorized dealer/retailer fordiagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is causedby the type of fuel used, repairs might not be coveredby the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United Statesare now required to contain additives that help preventengine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowingthe emission control system to work properly. In mostcases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.However, some gasolines contain only the minimumamount of additive required to meet U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectorsand intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiencesproblems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasolinethat is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER DetergentGasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel SystemTreatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at everyengine oil change, can help clean deposits from fuelinjectors and intake valves. GM Fuel System TreatmentPLUS is the only gasoline additive recommended byGeneral Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will helpcorrect and prevent most deposit-related problems.
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Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers andethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be availablein your area. We recommend that you use thesegasolines, if they comply with the specificationsdescribed earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) andother fuels containing more than 10% ethanol mustnot be used in vehicles that were not designed forthose fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel thatcontains methanol. Do not use fuel containingmethanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuelsystem and also damage plastic and rubber parts.That damage would not be covered under thevehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for lowemissions can contain an octane-enhancing additivecalled methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasolinewhether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend againstthe use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugsand the performance of the emission control systemcould be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp mightturn on. If this occurs, return to your dealer/retailer forservice.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside theUnited States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hardto find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuelnot recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costlyrepairs caused by use of improper fuel would notbe covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, orcontact a major oil company that does business in thecountry where you will be driving.
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Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{WARNING:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in the
vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
•Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
•Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or onany surface other than the ground.
•Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the inside
of the fill opening before operating the nozzle.Contact should be maintained until the fillingis complete.
•Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
•Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{WARNING:
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.
{WARNING:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other
fluids, 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.
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A.Underhood Fuse Block on page 6-101.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting onpage 6-36.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “AddingWasher Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluidon page 6-31.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.SeeEngine Coolant on page 6-23.
E. Remote Negative (!) Terminal. SeeJump Startingon page 6-36.
F.Power Steering Fluid on page 6-30.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”underEngine Oil on page 6-13.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”underEngine Oil on page 6-13.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”underBrakes on page 6-32.
J. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid onpage 6-19.
K.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-17.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at eachfuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil mustbe warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12forthe location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutesto drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, theoil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towelor cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove itagain, 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 at the tip ofthe dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of therecommended oil. This section explains what kind of oilto use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and Specifications on page 6-109.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine hasso much oil that the oil level gets above thecross-hatched area that shows the proper operatingrange, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine CompartmentOverview on page 6-12forthe location of theengine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the properoperating range in the cross-hatched area. Push thedipstick all the way back in when through.
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
•GM4718M
This vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meetingGM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting thisstandard may be identified as synthetic. However,not all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard.Use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.
Notice:Using oils that do not have the GM4718MStandard designation can cause engine damage notcovered by the vehicle warranty.
•SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numberson an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
•American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting theserequirements should havethe starburst symbol onthe container. This symbolindicates that the oilhas been certified by theAmerican PetroleumInstitute (API).
This vehicle’s engine was filled at the factory with aMobil 1®synthetic oil meeting all requirements forthis vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintainengine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718Mmight not be available. You can add substitute oildesignated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at alltemperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM StandardGM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
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Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oilswith the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are allthat is needed for good performance and engineprotection.
Engine oil system flushes are not recommended andcould cause engine damage not covered by the vehiclewarranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates whento change the engine oil and filter. This is based onengine revolutions and engine temperature, and not onmileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage atwhich an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.For the oil life system to work properly, the systemmust be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has beendiminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message in theDriver Information Center (DIC) comes on. Change theoil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles(1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the bestconditions, the oil life system might not indicate thatan oil change is necessary for over a year. However, theengine oil and filter must be changed at least once ayear and at this time the system must be reset.Your dealer/retailer has trained people who will performthis work using genuine parts and reset the system.It is also important to check the oil regularly and keep itat the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must bechanged at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oilchange. Remember to reset the oil life system wheneverthe oil is changed.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to changethe engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Wheneverthe oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculatewhen the next oil change is required. If a situation occurswhere the oil is changed prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OILSOON message in the Driver Information Center (DIC)being turned on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the CHANGE ENGINEOIL SOON message must be reset:
1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position withoutstarting the engine.
2. Press the INFO button on the Driver InformationCenter (DIC) until OIL LIFE REMAINING isdisplayed. SeeDIC Operation and Displays onpage 4-62.
3. Press and hold the INFO RESET button until 100%is displayed. This resets the oil life indicator.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comesback on when the vehicle is started, the engine oillife system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can beunhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Cleanyour skin and nails with soap and water, or a goodhand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing orrags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’swarnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If youchange your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from thefilter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting itin the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or intostreams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to aplace that collects used oil.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12forthe location of the engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the MaintenanceIIintervals and replace it at the first oil change after each50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduledMaintenance on page 7-3for more information. If youare driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filterat each engine oil change.
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