Vehicle Care
General InformationGeneral Information...............9-2
California Proposition 65
Warning.............................9-2
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements........9-3
Accessories and
Modifications.......................9-3
Vehicle ChecksDoing Your Own
Service Work......................9-4
Hood...................................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview............................9-6
Engine Cover.......................9-9
Engine Oil..........................9-10
Engine Oil Life System.........9-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-14
Manual Transmission Fluid. . . .9-15
Hydraulic Clutch..................9-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......9-16
Cooling System...................9-17
Engine Coolant...................9-19
Engine Overheating.............9-24
Power Steering Fluid............9-25Washer Fluid......................9-26
Brakes...............................9-27
Brake Fluid.........................9-28
Battery...............................9-29
Rear Axle...........................9-30
Starter Switch Check............9-31
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
System Check...................9-32
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check.......................9-32
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check..............9-32
Wiper Blade Replacement......9-33Headlamp AimingHeadlamp Aiming................9-34
Bulb ReplacementBulb Replacement...............9-37
Halogen Bulbs....................9-37
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting....................9-37
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking Lamps
(Base Vehicle)...................9-37
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking Lamps
(Up-Level Vehicle)..............9-38
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................9-39
Fog Lamps.........................9-40Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps.........................9-40
License Plate Lamp.............9-40
Replacement Bulbs..............9-41
Electrical SystemElectrical System
Overload...........................9-41
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers...........................9-42
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block.......................9-42
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block.......................9-45
Rear Compartment
Fuse Block.......................9-46
Wheels and TiresTires..................................9-48
Winter Tires........................9-48
Tire Sidewall Labeling..........9-49
Tire Designations.................9-51
Tire Terminology and
Definitions.........................9-52
Tire Pressure......................9-54
Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation........9-56
Tire Pressure Monitor
System.............................9-56
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation..........................9-57
Tire Inspection....................9-61
Vehicle Care 9-1
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
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
•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
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 40 000 km/25,000 Miles
•Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.
•Exhaust system inspection for
loose or damaged components.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles
•Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-16.
•Automatic transmission fluid
change (severe service) for
vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather, in hilly
or mountainous terrain, when
frequently towing a trailer, or used
for taxi, police, or delivery service.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9-14.
•Rear axle fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly driven
in hilly or mountainous terrain,
when frequently towing a
trailer, used for high speed or
competitive driving, or used for
taxi, police, or delivery service.
SeeRear Axle on page 9-30.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 160 000 km/100,000 Miles
•Automatic transmission fluid
change (normal service).
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9-14.
•Rear axle fluid change (normal
service). SeeRear Axle on
page 9-30.
•Spark plug replacement.
An Emission Control Service.First Engine Oil Change After
Every 240 000 km/150,000 Miles
•Engine cooling system drain,
flush, and refill, cooling system
and cap pressure check,
and cleaning of outside of
radiator and air conditioning
condenser (or every 5 years,
whichever occurs first). See
Cooling System on page 9-17.
An Emission Control Service.
•Engine accessory drive belt
inspection for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage
and replacement, if needed.
An Emission Control Service.
Service and Maintenance 10-5
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system. ••
Engine coolant level check. ••
Windshield washer fluid level check. ••
Tire inflation pressures check. ••
Tire wear inspection. ••
If tire rotation is recommended for the vehicle, rotate tires. ••
Fluids visual leak check. ••
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only). ••
Brake system inspection. ••
Steering and suspension inspection. •
Engine cooling system inspection. •
Windshield wiper blades inspection. •
Body components lubrication. •
Restraint system components check. •
Automatic transmission fluid level check. •
Rear axle fluid level check. •
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions). •
Passenger compartment air filter replacement. •
10-6 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil (V6 Engine) Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for the vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil on page 9-10
.
Engine Oil (V8 Engines) The engine requires a special engine oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M.
Oils meeting this standard can be identified with the American Petroleum
Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. However,
not all synthetic API oils with the starburst symbol will meet this GM
standard. Look for and use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.
For the proper viscosity, see
Engine Oil on page 9-10.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-19 .
Hydraulic Brake System Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88862806, in Canada 88862807).
Hydraulic Clutch System Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88862806, in Canada 88862807). Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Parking Brake Cable Guides Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Manual Transmission (V6 Engine) SAE 75W-90 GL5 Gear Oil (GM Part No. U.S. 88862475,
in Canada 88862476).
Service and Maintenance 10-7
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Manual Transmission (V8 Engine) Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88861800,
in Canada 88861801).
Rear Axle (V6 Engine with Automatic Transmission) Rear Differential Fluid 75W-90 to GM Specification 9986155.
GM Part No. U.S. 89021677, in Canada 89021678.
Rear Axle (V6 Engine with Manual Transmission) Rear Differential Fluid 75W-90 Limited Slip to GM Specification 9986226.
GM Part No. U.S. 89021677 and Friction Modifier 1052358,
in Canada 89021678 and Friction Modifier 992694.
Rear Axle (V8 Engine) Rear Differential Fluid 75W-90 Limited Slip to GM Specification 9986226.
GM Part No. U.S. 89021677 and Friction Modifier 1052358,
in Canada 89021678 and Friction Modifier 992694.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood, Door, and Folding Seat Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 3634770, in Canada 10953518)
or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
10-8 Service and Maintenance