How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you maychoose to have this done at the dealer/retailer servicedepartment.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructionshere or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little fluid can damageyour transmission. Too much can mean that someof the fluid could come out and fall on hot engineparts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.Too little fluid could cause the transmission tooverheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if youcheck your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking thetransmission fluid level if you have been driving:
•When outside temperatures are above 32°C (90°F).
•At high speed for quite a while.
•In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
•While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be atnormal operating temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C(180°F to 200°F).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 24 km(15 miles) when outside temperatures are above10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C (50°F), you mayhave to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the enginerunning.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift leverin P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shiftlever through each gear range, pausing for aboutthree seconds in each range. Then, positionthe shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Locate the transmission fluid cap which is locatednext to the radiator hose and below the engine aircleaner/filter assembly on the driver side of thevehicle. The cap is marked TRANS FLUID.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more information on location.
2. After removing the engine air cleaner/filter assemblyto reach the transmission fluid cap, turn the capcounterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstickand wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
6-20
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cablescan reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touchingeach other. If they are, it could cause a groundconnection you do not want. You would not be ableto start your vehicle and the bad grounding coulddamage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, setthe parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved inthe jump start procedure. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or a manual transmissionin NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave the radio or other accessorieson during the jump starting procedure, they could bedamaged. The repairs would not be covered by thewarranty. Always turn off the radio and otheraccessories when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplugunnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarettelighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn offthe radio and all lamps that are not needed. Thiswill avoid sparks and help save both batteries.And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) andnegative (!) terminal locations on the othervehicle. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jumpstarting terminal and a remote negative (!) jumpstarting terminal.
The remote positive (+) terminal is located in theengine compartment on the passenger’s side of thevehicle. Lift the red plastic cap to access theterminal. SeeEngine Compartment Overview onpage 6-12for more information on the locationof the remote positive (+) terminal.
A second remote positive (+) terminal is located onthe rear underseat fuse block.
The remote negative (!) terminal is located behindthe power steering pulley, near the engine cover.It is marked GND (!).
4.6L LD8 Engine shown,4.6L L37 Enginesimilar
6-37
The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with theengine off.
3. Press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter’slock and unlock buttons at the same time forapproximately five seconds. The horn sounds twiceto signal the receiver is in relearn mode andTIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on theDIC screen.
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap stem.Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing ordecreasing the tire’s air pressure for five seconds,or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp,which may take up to 30 seconds to sound,confirms that the sensor identification code hasbeen matched to this tire and wheel position.
6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeatthe procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeatthe procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat theprocedure in Step 5. The horn sounds two times toindicate the sensor identification code has beenmatched to the driver side rear tire, and theTPMS sensor matching process is no longer active.The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on theDIC display screen goes off.
9. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressurelevel as indicated on the Tire and LoadingInformation label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
6-61
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damageby driving slowly to a level place. Turn on the hazardwarning flashers. SeeHazard Warning Flasherson page 4-3.
{WARNING:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you or
other people. You and they could be badly injured
or even killed.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
Find a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while
the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not move,
you should put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire, on the other side, at the
opposite end of the vehicle.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (B), use the followingexample as a guide to assist you in the placementof wheel blocks (A).
6-80
Once a Year
•Starter switch check. SeeOwner Checks and
Services on page 7-6.
•Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park)
mechanism check. SeeOwner Checks andServices on page 7-6.
•Automatic transmission shiftlock control system
check. SeeOwner Checks and Services onpage 7-6.
•Ignition transmission lock check. SeeOwner
Checks and Services on page 7-6.
•Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure
check. Radiator and air conditioning condenseroutside cleaning. SeeCooling System on page 6-22.
•Exhaust system and nearby heat shields inspection
for loose or damaged components.
•Accelerator pedal check for damage, high effort, or
binding. Replace if needed.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
40 000 km/25,000 Miles
•Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
•Passenger compartment air filter replacement
(or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). Morefrequent replacement may be required if vehicleis driven regularly under dusty conditions.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles
•Engine air cleaner filter replacement. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-17.
•Automatic transmission fluid and filter change
(severe service) for vehicles mainly driven in heavycity traffic in hot weather, in hilly or mountainousterrain, when frequently towing a trailer, or used fortaxi, police, or delivery service. SeeAutomaticTransmission Fluid on page 6-19.
7-5
First Engine Oil Change After Every
120 000 km/75,000 Miles
•Professional Vehicle Only: Engine cooling system
drain, flush, and refill, cooling system and cappressure check, and cleaning of outside of radiatorand air conditioning condenser (or every 5 years,whichever occurs first). SeeEngine Coolanton page 6-23.An Emission Control Service.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
160 000 km/100,000 Miles
•Automatic transmission fluid and filter change
(normal service). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluidon page 6-19.
•Spark plug replacement.An Emission Control
Service.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
240 000 km/150,000 Miles
•Except Professional Vehicle: Engine cooling system
drain, flush, and refill, cooling system and cappressure check, and cleaning of outside of radiatorand air conditioning condenser (or every 5 years,whichever occurs first). SeeEngine Coolanton page 6-23.An Emission Control Service.
•Engine accessory drive belt inspection for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious damage andreplacement, if needed.An Emission ControlService.
Owner Checks and Services
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING:
When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or
others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enoughroom around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regularbrake. SeeParking Brake on page 3-30.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready toturn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicleshould start only in P (Park) or N (Neutral). If thevehicle starts in any other position, contactyour dealer/retailer for service.
7-6
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{WARNING:
When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or
others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enoughroom around the vehicle. It should be parked on alevel surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brakeon page 3-30.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately ifthe vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,but do not start the engine. Without applying theregular brake, try to move the shift lever outof P (Park) with normal effort. If the shift levermoves out of P (Park), contact your dealer/retailerfor service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turnthe ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
•The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in P (Park).
•The ignition key should come out only
in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
7-7
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
begin to move. You or others could be injured and
property could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of the vehicle in case it begins to roll.
Be ready to apply the regular brake at once
should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facingdownhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set theparking brake.
•To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and the transmissionin N (Neutral), slowly remove foot pressure from theregular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle isheld by the parking brake only.
•To check the P (Park) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to P (Park). Thenrelease the parking brake followed by theregular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, partnumber, or specification can be obtained from yourdealer/retailer.
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil
The engine requires a specialengine oil meeting GM StandardGM4718M. Oils meeting thisstandard can be identified assynthetic, and should also beidentified with the AmericanPetroleum Institute (API) Certifiedfor Gasoline Engines starburstsymbol. However, not all syntheticAPI oils with the starburst symbolwill meet this GM standard. Look forand use only oil that meets GMStandard GM4718M. For the properviscosity, seeEngine Oil onpage 6-13.
Engine Coolant
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkablewater and use only DEX-COOL®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant onpage 6-23.
Hydraulic BrakeSystem
DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid(GM Part No. U.S. 88862806, inCanada 88862807).
7-8