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To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the cap is releasedtoo soon, it will spring back to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from thehook on the fuel door.
{WARNING:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray
can happen if the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overfill thetank and wait a few seconds after you have finishedpumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuelfrom painted surfaces as soon as possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 6-95.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until itclicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. Thediagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. This would allowfuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. SeeMalfunctionIndicator Lamp on page 4-57.
The TIGHTEN GAS CAP message displays on theDriver Information Center (DIC) if the fuel cap isnot properly installed. SeeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4-67for more information.
{WARNING:
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the station
attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to getthe right type. Your dealer/retailer can get onefor you. If you get the wrong type, it may not fitproperly. This may cause the malfunction indicatorlamp to light and may damage the fuel tank andemissions system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lampon page 4-57.
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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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Hood Release
To lift the hood:
1. Pull the hood releaselever with this symbolon it. It is locatedon the lower left side ofthe instrument panel.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and find thesecondary hood release lever, located near thecenter of the hood. Move the release lever up andto the right to raise the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are onproperly. Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, here is what you will see:
4.6L L37 Engine shown, 4.6L LD8 Engine similar
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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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