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288 Vehicle Care
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils thatmeet the dexos1™specification.Engine oils that have beenapproved by GM as meeting thedexos1 specification are markedwith the dexos1 approved logo. Seewww.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity gradeengine oil for the 3.6L V6 engine.Use SAE 5W-20 viscosity gradeengine oil for the 2.5L L4 engine.
Cold Temperature Operation: In anarea of extreme cold, where thetemperature falls below✓29 °C(✓20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may beused for the 3.6L V6 engine andSAE 0W-20 viscosity grade engineoil may be used for the 2.5L L4engine. An oil of this viscosity gradewill provide easier cold starting forthe engine at extremely lowtemperatures. When selecting an oilof the appropriate viscosity grade, itis recommended to select an oil ofthe correct specification. See“Specification”earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. Therecommended oils meeting thedexos1 specification are all that isneeded for good performance andengine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are notrecommended and could causeengine damage not covered by thevehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certainelements that can be unhealthy foryour skin and could even causecancer. Do not let used oil stay onyour skin for very long. Clean yourskin and nails with soap and water,or a good hand cleaner. Wash orproperly dispose of clothing or ragscontaining used engine oil. See themanufacturer's warnings about theuse and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to theenvironment. If you change yourown oil, be sure to drain all the oilfrom the filter before disposal. Neverdispose of oil by putting it in thetrash or pouring it on the ground,into sewers, or into streams orbodies of water. Recycle it by takingit to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer systemthat indicates when to change theengine oil and filter. This is basedon a combination of factors which
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include engine revolutions, enginetemperature, and miles driven.Based on driving conditions, themileage at which an oil change isindicated can vary considerably. Forthe oil life system to work properly,the system must be reset every timethe oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the systemhas calculated that oil life has beendiminished, a CHANGE ENGINEOIL SOON message comes on toindicate that an oil change isnecessary. SeeEngine OilMessages0134.Changetheoilassoon as possible within the next1000km (600mi). It is possible that,if driving under the best conditions,the oil life system might indicate thatan oil change is not necessary forup to a year. The engine oil andfilter must be changed at least onceayearand,atthistime,thesystemmust be reset. For vehicles withoutthe CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOONmessage, an oil change is neededwhen the OIL LIFE REMAININGpercentage is near 0%. Your dealerhas trained service people who willperform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to checkthe oil regularly over the course ofan oil drain interval and keep it atthe proper level.
If the system is ever resetaccidentally, the oil must bechanged at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)since the last oil change.Remember to reset the oil lifesystem whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever theengine oil is changed so that thesystem can calculate the nextengine oil change. Always reset theengine oil life to 100% after every oilchange. It will not reset itself. Toreset the engine oil life system:
1. Display OIL LIFE REMAININGon the DIC. SeeDriverInformation Center (DIC) (BaseLevel)0126orDriverInformation Center (DIC)(Uplevel)0129.Ifthevehicledoes not have DIC buttons, thevehicle must be in P (Park) toaccess this display.
2. Press and holdVon the DIC,
or SET/CLR on the turn signallever if the vehicle does nothave DIC buttons, for severalseconds. The oil life willchange to 100%.
The oil life system can also be resetas follows:
1. Display OIL LIFE REMAININGon the DIC. SeeDriverInformation Center (DIC) (BaseLevel)0126orDriverInformation Center (DIC)(Uplevel)0129.
2. Fully press the acceleratorpedal slowly three times withinfive seconds.
If the display shows 100%, thesystem is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGEENGINE OIL SOON message and itcomes back on when the vehicle isstarted and/or the OIL LIFEREMAINING is near 0%, the engineoil life system has not been reset.Repeat the procedure.
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290 Vehicle Care
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check thetransmission fluid level.Atransmissionfluidleakistheonlyreason for fluid loss. If a leakoccurs, take the vehicle to yourdealer and have it repaired as soonas possible.
There is a special procedure forchecking and changing thetransmission fluid. Because thisprocedure is difficult, this should bedone at your dealer. Contact yourdealer for additional information orthe procedure can be found in theservice manual. To purchase aservice manual, seeServicePublications OrderingInformation0392.
Change the fluid and filter at theintervals listed inMaintenanceSchedule0366,andbesuretousethe fluid listed inRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0375.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Manual
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check themanual transmission fluid level.Atransmissionfluidleakistheonlyreason for fluid loss. If a leakoccurs, take the vehicle to yourdealer and have it repaired as soonas possible. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0375for theproper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manualtransmission, it is not necessary toregularly check brake/clutch fluidunless there is a leak suspected.Adding fluid will not correct a leak.Afluidlossinthissystemcouldindicate a problem. Have thesystem inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluidreservoir cap has this symbol on it.The common brake/clutch fluidreservoir is filled with DOT 3 brakefluid as indicated on the reservoircap. SeeEngine CompartmentOverview0283for reservoirlocation.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch fluidreservoir to make sure the fluid levelis at the MIN (minimum) line on thefront of the reservoir. The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid system shouldbe closed and sealed.
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Do not remove the cap to check thefluid level or to top-off the fluid level.Remove the cap only whennecessary to add the proper fluiduntil the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in theengine compartment on thepassenger side of the vehicle. SeeEngine CompartmentOverview0283.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing andinspecting the engine air cleaner/filter, seeMaintenanceSchedule0366.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have theengine running with the engine aircleaner/filter housing open. Beforeremoving the engine air cleaner/filter, make sure that the engine aircleaner/filter housing and nearbycomponents are free of dirt anddebris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shakethe engine air cleaner/filter (awayfrom the vehicle), to release loosedust and dirt. Inspect the engine aircleaner/filter for damage, andreplace if damaged. Do not cleanthe engine air cleaner/filter orcomponents with water orcompressed air.
To i n s p e c t o r r e p l a c e t h e a i r c l e a n e r /filter:
2.5L L4 Gas Engine Shown, 2.8L
L4 Diesel Engine Similar
1. Screws
2. Electrical Connector
3. Air Duct Clamp
To i n s p e c t o r r e p l a c e t h e e n g i n e a i rcleaner/filter:
1. Remove the screws (1) on topof the engine air cleaner/filterhousing.
2. Disconnect the electricalconnector (2).
3. Disconnect the outlet duct byloosening the air ductclamp (3).
4. Lift the filter cover housingaway from the engine aircleaner/filter housing.
5. Pull out the filter.
6. Inspect or replace the engineair cleaner/filter.
7. Reverse Steps 2–5toreinstallthe filter cover housing.
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3.6L V6 Engine
1. Screws
2. Electrical Connector
3. Air Duct Clamp
To i n s p e c t o r r e p l a c e t h e e n g i n e a i rcleaner/filter:
1. Remove the screws (1) on topof the engine air cleaner/filterhousing.
2. Disconnect the electricalconnector (2).
3. Disconnect the outlet duct byloosening the air ductclamp (3).
4. Lift the filter cover housingaway from the engine aircleaner/filter housing.
5. Pull out the filter.
6. Inspect or replace the engineair cleaner/filter.
7. Reverse Steps 2–5toreinstallthe filter cover housing.
{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. 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.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows theengine to maintain the correctworking temperature.
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2.5L L4 Gas Engine Shown, 2.8L
L4 Diesel Engine Similar
1. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
{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
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.
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294 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle isfilled with DEX-COOL®enginecoolant mixture. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0375andMaintenance Schedule0366.
The following explains the coolingsystem and how to check and addcoolant when it is low. If there is aproblem with engine overheating,seeEngine Overheating0296.
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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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-COOLcoolant. If using this mixture,nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection downto✓37 °C (✓34 °F) outsidetemperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to129 °C (265 °F) enginetemperature.
.Protects against rust andcorrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper enginetemperature.
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
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
Lubricants0375.
Never dispose of engine coolant byputting it in the trash, or by pouringit on the ground, or into sewers,streams or, bodies of water. Havethe coolant changed by anauthorized service center, familiarwith legal requirements regardingused coolant disposal. This will helpprotect the environment and yourhealth.
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Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a levelsurface when checking the coolantlevel.
Check to see if coolant is visible inthe coolant surge tank. If the coolantinside the coolant surge tank isboiling, do not do anything else untilit cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolantlevel is not at or above the markpointed to, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable water andDEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is coolbefore this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolantsurge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Yo u c a n b e b u r n e d i f y o u s p i l l
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
The coolant surge tank pressurecap can be removed when thecooling system, including the surgetank pressure cap and upperradiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowlycounterclockwise. If a hiss isheard, wait for that to stop.Ahissmeansthereisstillsome pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap andremove it.