Page 196 of 372

To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch
to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5-10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below 0°F or
−18°C), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for a
maximum of 15 seconds. Wait atleast 15 seconds between each
try, to allow the cranking motor to
cool. When the engine starts, let
go of the key and accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, repeat the
procedure. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates.
Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater, if
available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting the vehicle.
An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
8-20 Driving and Operating
Page 244 of 372

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
(V8 Engines)
Look for three things:
•GM4718M
This vehicle’s engine requires a
special oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard 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 GM4718M Standard
designation can cause engine
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
•SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the
vehicle. These numbers on 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 these requirements
should have the starburst symbol
on the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been
certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
This vehicle’s engine was filled at
the factory with a Mobil 1
®synthetic
oil meeting all requirements for
this vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding
oil to maintain engine oil level, oil
meeting GM Standard GM4718M
might not be available. You can add
substitute oil designated SAE 5W-30
with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. Substitute oil not
meeting GM Standard GM4718M
should not be used for an oil change.
9-12 Vehicle Care
Page 251 of 372

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
Page 332 of 372

•Restraint system component
check. SeeSafety System Check
on page 2-20.
•Automatic transmission fluid level
check and adding fluid, if needed.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9-14.
•Rear axle fluid level check and
adding fluid, if needed. SeeRear
Axle on page 9-30.
•Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-16.
•Passenger compartment air filter
replacement (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). More
frequent replacement may be
required if vehicle is driven
regularly under dusty conditions.
Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
•Engine oil level check.
SeeEngine Oil on page 9-10.
•Engine coolant level check.
SeeEngine Coolant on
page 9-19.
•Windshield washer fluid level
check. SeeWasher Fluid on
page 9-26.
Once a Month
•Tire inflation check. SeeTire
Pressure on page 9-54.
•Tire wear inspection. SeeTire
Inspection on page 9-61.Once a Year
•SeeStarter Switch Check on
page 9-31.
•SeeAutomatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control System
Check on page 9-32.
•SeeIgnition Transmission Lock
Check on page 9-32.
•SeePark Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check on page 9-32.
•Engine cooling system and
pressure cap pressure check.
Radiator and air conditioning
condenser outside cleaning.
SeeCooling System on
page 9-17.
•If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit, check the
sealant expiration date printed
on the instruction label of the
kit. SeeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 9-71.
10-4 Service and Maintenance