Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filteron
page 10‑17.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
on page 10‑17.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
on
page 10‑25.
D. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Engine Coolant
on
page 10‑19.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
on
page 10‑12. F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 10‑9.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on
page 10‑26.
I. Battery on page 10‑28.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid
on
page 10‑24.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑39.
L. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 10‑18.
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. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6for 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.
Vehicle Care 10-13
Notice:Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
.When outside temperatures are
above 32°C (90°F).
.At high speed for quite a while.
.In heavy traffic —especially in
hot weather.
.While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C
(180°F to 200°F). Get the vehicle warmed up by
driving about 24 km (15 miles) when
outside temperatures are above
10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), drive the vehicle in 3 (Third)
until the engine temperature gauge
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes.
A cold fluid check can be made
after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the
engine off, but this is used only
as a reference. Let the engine run
at idle for five minutes if outside
temperatures are 10°C (50°F) or
more. If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), the engine might have to
idle longer. Should the fluid level be
low during this cold check, check
the fluid hot before adding fluid.
Checking the fluid hot gives a more
accurate reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Level
To prepare the vehicle:
1. Park the vehicle on a level
place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Vehicle Care 10-27
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6for the location of the
reservoir. There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings
are worn, there will be too much
fluid when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5‑14.
10-28 Vehicle Care
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8.
Always clean the brake 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 hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid
can badly damage brake
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 fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled
on the vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint finish can
be damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6for battery location.
{DANGER
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 10-87
You would not be able to start
your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking brake.
If you have a four-wheel-drive
vehicle, be sure the transfer
case is not in Neutral.
Notice: If you leave the radio or
other accessories on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle. 3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlets. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not
needed. This will avoid sparks
and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries on both vehicles. You
will use the positive (+) battery
terminal and the remote
negative (−) jump starting
terminal to jump start your
vehicle. To access the
positive (+) battery terminal,
open the terminal cover. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6for more
information on the terminal
locations.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the batteries have
enough water. You do not need
to add water to the ACDelco
®
battery (or batteries) installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
Service and Maintenance 11-3
life system whenever the oil is
changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 10‑11.
When the “Change Oil” message
displays, certain services, checks,
and inspections are required.
The services described for
Maintenance Ishould be performed
at every engine oil change. The
services described for Maintenance
II should be performed when:
.Maintenance Iwas performed
the last time the engine oil was
changed.
.It has been 10 months or more
since the “Change Oil” message
has displayed or since the last
service.
Maintenance I
.Change engine oil and filter.
SeeEngine Oilon page 10‑9.
An Emission Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑25.
.Tire inflation check. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑51.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑57.
.Rotate tires. See Tire Rotationon page 10‑57.
.Fluids visual leak check
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and
the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection (vehicles driven in
dusty conditions only). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 10‑17.
.Brake system inspection
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
Maintenance II
.Perform all services described in
MaintenanceI.
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection for
damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Lubricate the front suspension,
steering linkage, and parking
brake cable guides. Control arm
ball joints require lubrication but
should not be lubricated unless
their temperature is −12°C
(10°F) or higher, or they could
be damaged.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection
of hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. SeeExterior
Care
on page 10‑92. Worn
or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑32.
.Body hinges and latches, key
lock cylinders, folding seat
hardware, and rear compartment
hinges, linkage, and handle
pivot points lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
on page 11‑8.
More frequent lubrication may
be required when vehicle
is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a
clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑26.
.Automatic transmission fluid
level check and adding fluid,
if needed. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid
on
page 10‑12.
.Four‐wheel drive vehicles:
Transfer case fluid level check
and adding fluid, if needed.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑17.
Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑25. Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. See
Tire
Pressure on page 10‑51.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑57.
Once a Year
.See Starter Switch Checkon
page 10‑30.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control System
Check on page 10‑30.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑31.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Checkon
page 10‑31.
.Engine cooling system and
pressure cap pressure check.
Radiator and air conditioning
condenser outside cleaning. See
Cooling System on page 10‑18.
11-6 Service and Maintenance
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. ••
Rotate tires. ••
Fluids visual leak check. ••
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only). ••
Brake system inspection. ••
Body components lubrication. •
Steering and suspension inspection. •