Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
Vehicle Care 10-7
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean paper towel or cloth,
then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at the lower mark at the
tip of the dipstick, add 1 L (1 qt) of
the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See “Selecting
the Right Engine Oil” in this section
for an explanation of what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see
Capacities and
Specifications on page 12-2
{Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10-5
Add enough oil to reach the upper
mark on the dipstick. Push the
dipstick all the way back in when
through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
ProCarManuals.com
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
10-8 Vehicle Care
{Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil can result in engine
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Check with your
dealer or service provider on
whether the oil is approved to the
dexos1 specification.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade,
always select an oil of the correct
specification. See “Specification”
earlier in this section for more
information.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification 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.
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 or 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.
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 a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
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 ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on. See
Engine Oil Messages on page 5-27.
ProCarManuals.com
Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
Vehicle Care 10-11
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains covered with dirt, a new
filter is required. Never use
compressed air to clean the filter.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Air Duct Clamp Screw
2. Retaining Clips
1. Open the hood. SeeHood on
page 10-4.
2. Disconnect the outlet duct by loosening the screw (1) on the
air duct clamp.
3. Remove the retaining clips (2) securing the cover on the air
cleaner/filter housing.
4. Pull straight up on the cover; while holding the cover, remove
the air filter.
5. Inspect or replace the air filter. See Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 11-13.
6. Reverse Steps 2–5 to reinstall the cover.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
{Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
ProCarManuals.com
Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
10-12 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
1. Coolant Recovery Reservoir
2. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
3. Radiator Cap
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
{Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. 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 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), 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,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10-16.
ProCarManuals.com
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
Vehicle Care 10-13
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The 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.
{Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or pouring it into
sewers, streams or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
ProCarManuals.com
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
10-14 Vehicle Care
To check coolant:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Locate the coolant recoveryreservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10-5.
3. Turn the coolant recovery reservoir dipstick cap
counterclockwise and slowly pull
out the dipstick. There are
maximum and minimum
markings on the dipstick.
4. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at or
above the minimum mark (1).
After the vehicle has been driven
and the engine is at normal
operating temperature, the level
should be somewhere between
half full and the maximum
mark (2).
5. If the coolant level is correct, replace the coolant recovery
reservoir dipstick cap and turn
clockwise to secure.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Bottle
{Warning
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
{Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
To add coolant:
1. Turn the engine coolant recovery reservoir dipstick cap
counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn
and slowly pull out the dipstick.
ProCarManuals.com
Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
Vehicle Care 10-15
2. Pour the coolant into the enginecoolant recovery reservoir.
3. When the level is correct, as per the markings on the dipstick,
replace the coolant recovery
reservoir dipstick cap and turn
clockwise to secure.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{Warning
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
{Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
under pressure, and if you turn
the radiator cap—even a
little —they can come out at high
speed. Never turn the cap when
the cooling system, including the
radiator cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and radiator cap
to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
If no coolant is visible in the engine
coolant recovery reservoir, add
coolant as follows:
1. Locate the radiator cap. See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10-5.
ProCarManuals.com
Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-7707491) - 2015 -
crc - 9/16/14
10-16 Vehicle Care
2. Cover the radiator cap with athick cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.
3. If there is no coolant visible or the level is low, slowly fill the
system through the radiator cap
opening with a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off if the level
drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
4. Start the engine.
5. With the engine idling, top off the coolant through the radiator cap
opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off if the level
drops. 6. Once the system is full, put the
radiator cap back on by turning
clockwise.
7. Turn the engine off.
8. Check the coolant level in the engine coolant recovery
reservoir and fill it until the level
is at the top mark on the dipstick
cap. Filling to this level provides
additional coolant to allow for
any air that may be left in the
cooling system.
{Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on your vehicle's
instrument panel. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5-9.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See Roadside Assistance Program
on page 13-5.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.
ProCarManuals.com