Page 283 of 448

Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing
MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission control system could be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on.
If this occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in
the country where you will be driving.
6-7
Page 286 of 448

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 on any 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 filling
is complete.
•Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
•Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{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.
6-10
Page 289 of 448

A. Windshield Washer Fluid. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid on page 6-38.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 6-29.
C.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-37.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6-21.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 6-27.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 6-43.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 6-43.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 6-39.
L.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 6-112.
M.Battery on page 0-0.
N. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 6-26.
6-13
Page 291 of 448

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-38.
D. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 6-29.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6-21.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 6-39.
I.Battery on page 0-0.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 6-37.
K.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 6-112.
L. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 6-27.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-15
Page 294 of 448

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 OIL message comes on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 4-37. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). 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 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 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
6-18
Page 297 of 448
{WARNING:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
flames if the engine backfires. If it is not there and
the engine backfires, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/ lter is off, a back re
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into the engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/ lter in place when
you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-3, and be sure
to use the transmission fluid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-10.
6-21
Page 301 of 448

Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check the manual transmission fluid is
when the engine oil is changed. However, the fluid in
the manual transmission does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealer/retailer
service department.
If doing it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or there could be a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too little uid could cause
the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check your transmission
uid.
Check the fluid level only when the engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough to touch the transmission case.After this is done:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.
6-25
Page 307 of 448

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant recovery tank
cap has this symbol on it.
It is located toward the rear of the engine compartment
on the passenger side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more
information on location.Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank
is boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When the engine
is cold, the coolant level should be at FULL COLD, or a
little higher. When the engine is warm, the level could be
above the FULL COLD level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at least up to the FULL COLD mark. If it is not,
there could be a leak in the cooling system.
6-31