Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with
the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all
that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
SeeEngine Oil Messages on
page 4-32. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 miles). It is possible that, if
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 filter 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, the oil must be changed
at 5 000 km (3,000 miles) since the
last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and filter 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 the oil is
changed prior to a change engine oil
message being turned on, reset the
system.
After changing the engine oil, reset
the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message is not on,
the system is reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes on again and stays
on for 30 seconds at the next ignition
cycle, it did not reset. The system
needs to be reset again.
Vehicle Care 9-13
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
filter 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. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
There is a special procedure
for checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer/
retailer service department.Contact your dealer/retailer for
additional information or the
procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase a
service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information
on page 12-12.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inScheduled
Maintenance on page 10-2, and
be sure to use the fluid listed
inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7.
9-14 Vehicle Care
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6for the
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 each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval.
See “Schedule Maintenance” in
Service and Maintenance for more
information. If driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains caked with dirt, a new
filter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood on
page 9-5.
2. Locate the air filter housing
on the front of the driver
side of the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6.
3.6 L V6 Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter Housing shown
(6.2 L V8 Engines similar)
9-16 Vehicle Care
A. Coolant Recovery Bottle
B. Electric Cooling Fans
C. Radiator Cap
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant
recovery bottle is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
The coolant level should be
between the MIN and MAX lines.
If it is not, you may have a leak at
the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it could
lose all coolant. That could cause
an engine fire, and you could be
burned. Get any leak fixed before
you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if
the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating,
the fans should be running. If it is
not, your vehicle needs service.
Turn off the engine. 6.2 L V8 Engines
(L99 shown LS3 similar)
9-18 Vehicle Care
Notice:Using coolant other
than DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 50 000 km
(30,000 miles) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
is filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for five years
or 240 000 km (150,000 miles),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 9-24.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning.
The engine could catch fire and
you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
•Gives freezing protection
down to−37°C (−34°F),
outside temperature.
•Gives boiling protection up
to 129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
•Protects against rust and
corrosion.
•Will not damage aluminum parts.
•Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Vehicle Care 9-19
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7.
Always clean the brake/clutch
fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake/clutch hydraulic system,
the brakes might not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always
use the proper brake/clutch fluid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can
badly damage brake/clutch
hydraulic system parts.
For example, just a few drops
of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be
replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, the
paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake
uid on the vehicle. If you do,
wash it off immediately.
Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance
free battery. When it is time for a
new battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6for battery location.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Care 9-29
What to Use
For 218 mm rear drive module
(RDM) V6 manual, V8 automatic
and V8 manual:
To add lubricant when the level
is low, use 75W-90 LS gear oil
(GM Part No. US 89021677
and 1052358, in Canada
Part No. 89021678 and 992694)
meeting GM Specification 9986226.
To completely refill after draining,
seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7. Then fill
to the bottom of the filler plug hole
with the Synthetic Gear Lubricant.
For 195 mm RDM V6 automatic:
To add lubricant when the level
is low, use 75W-90 gear Oil
(GM Part No. US 89021677,
in Canada Part No. 89021678)
meeting GM Specification 9986115.
To completely refill after draining,
seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7. Then fill
to the bottom of the filler plug hole
with the Synthetic Gear Lubricant.
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 enough
room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-32.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.3. For automatic transmission
vehicles, try to start the engine
in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever in
Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start the
engine. The vehicle should start
only when the clutch pedal is
pushed down all the way to the
floor. If the vehicle starts when
the clutch pedal is not pushed
all the way down, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
Vehicle Care 9-31