engine CHEVROLET C/K 2003 Owners Manual

6-15
Fuels in Foreign Countries
(Gasoline Engines)
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may 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 wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
Filling Your Tank
C4/C5 Models

6-16
C6/C7/C8 Models
CAUTION:
Fuel vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near fuel or refueling your
vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from fuel.
The fuel cap can be on either or both sides of your
vehicle depending on option content.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
CAUTION:
Gasoline Engine Vehicles: If you get gasoline on
you and then something ignites it, you could be
badly burned. Gasoline can spray out on you if
you open the fuel cap too quickly. This spray can
happen if your tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap
slowly and wait for any ªhissº noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until it is tight.

6-18
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
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.
Hood Latches
To tilt the hood forward, pull back and up on each of the
hood latches, located above the wheel wells on both
sides of the vehicle.

6-21
Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are
the acts listed below.
Insulation:

Removal of the noise shields or any underhood
insulation.
Engine:

Removal or rendering engine speed governor
(if equipped) inoperative so as to allow engine
speed to exceed manufacturer specifications.
Fan and Drive:

Removal of fan clutch (if equipped) or rendering
clutch inoperative.

Removal of the fan shroud (if equipped).
Air Intake:

Removal of the air cleaner silencer.

Modification of the air cleaner.
Exhaust:

Removal of the muffler and/or resonator.

Removal of the exhaust pipes and exhaust
pipe clamps.Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If the low oil light appears
on the instrument cluster, it
means you need to check
your engine oil level right
away. For more
information, see ªLow Oil
Lightº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.

6-22 Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
is located in the engine
compartment on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.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.

6-23 When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area, then
you'll need to add at least one quart of oil. But you must
use the right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities
and Specificationsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross
-hatched area upper mark that shows
the proper operating range, your engine could
be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is
located near the engine oil
dipstick in the engine
compartment, on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.

6-24 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
If you have your oil
changed for you, be sure
the oil put into your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.

6-25
As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is best for
your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's
going to be 0
F (
-18
C) or above. These numbers on
an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not
use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls
below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an
SAE 5W
-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both
will provide easier cold starting and better protection for
your engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
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 will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change oil light will come on. Change your
oil as soon as possible within the next two times you
stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate
that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset. It is also
important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.

6-26
How to Reset the Change Oil Light
The GM Oil Life System
calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation
occurs where you change your oil prior to a change oil
light being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the change oil light, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
times within 10 seconds.
If the change oil light flashes for five seconds, the
system is reset. If the light does not display for five
seconds, you will need to repeat the steps.What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't 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 throw away 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. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.

6-27
Engine Oil (Caterpillar

Diesel Engines)
See your Caterpillar
Operation & Maintenance Manual
for information on oil quality and viscosities as well as
the temperature range chart.
Engine Oil (DURAMAX Diesel)
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil level every time
you get fuel.
The engine oil dipstick is
located in the engine
compartment on the driver's
side of the vehicle.
In order to get an accurate
reading, the oil must be
warm (at normal operating
temperature) and the vehicle
must be on level ground.Turn off the engine and give the oil at least five minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. With a cool engine, allow
30 minutes. If you don't, the oil dipstick might not show
the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down.