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
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual 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.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7for the
proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly
check brake/clutch fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system. Adding fluid will not correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
reservoir cap has this symbol
on it. The common hydraulic clutch
and brake master cylinder fluid
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir
cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6for reservoir
location.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch
fluid reservoir to make sure the
fluid level is at the MIN (minimum)
line on the side of the reservoir.
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
system should be closed and
sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check
the fluid level or to top-off the fluid
level. Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Vehicle Care 9-15
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
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement) V6 Engine 6-Speed Automatic** 6.3 L6.7 qt
V8 Engine 6-Speed Automatic** 6.3 L6.7 qt
V6 Engine 6-Speed Manual 1.8 L1.9 qt
V8 Engine 6-Speed Manual 3.9 L4.2 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 190Y 140 ft lb
*Add 2.5 oz. (75 mL) of friction modifier to the specified quantity of axle lubricant.
**See Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 9-14 for information on checking fluid level.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Engine Speci cations
Engine VIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
3.6L V6 (LLT) VAutomatic
Manual 1.1 mm (0.043 in)
6.2L V8 (L99) JAutomatic 1.0 mm (0.040 in)
6.2L V8 (LS3) WManual 1.0 mm (0.040 in)
Technical Data 11-3