engine oil CHEVROLET TRACKER 2002 2.G User Guide

6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 1.6L engine (Canada Only), you'll see:
A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
B. Engine Air/Cleaner Filter
C. Battery
D. Engine Oil DipstickE. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir
(If Equipped)H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
K. Windshield Washer Reservoir

6-12
When you open the hood on the 2.0L engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
B. Engine Air/Cleaner Filter
C. Battery
D. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirE. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap
H. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
K. Windshield Washer Reservoir

6-13
When you open the hood on the 2.5L engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
B. Engine Air/Cleaner Filter
C. Battery
D. Radiator Pressure CapE. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
(If Equipped)
G. Engine Oil DipstickH. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
K. Windshield Washer Reservoir

6-14
Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light appears on the
instrument cluster,
it means you need to
check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see ªEngine Oil Pressure Lightº
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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 handle of the engine
oil dipstick is a round,
yellow ring. On the
1.6L engine, it is located
near the front of the
engine compartment
towards the passenger's
side of the vehicle.
1.6L Engine
(Canada Only)

6-15
The handle of the
engine oil dipstick is
a round, yellow ring.
On the 2.0L engine
it is located near the
center of the engine
on the passenger's side
of the vehicle.
2.0L EngineThe handle of the
engine oil dipstick is
a round, yellow ring.
On the 2.5L engine
it is located near the
front of the engine
compartment towards
the driver's side
of the vehicle.
2.5L Engine
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
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.

6-16
1.6L Engine (Canada Only)
2.0L Engine
2.5L Engine
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the L (low) mark, 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 upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is located in the front of the engine
compartment. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in
the Index for more information on location.
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.

6-17 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 following chart:

6-18
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 0F (
-18C) 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.

6-19 When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:

Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures
are below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.

The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for
your vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months
-- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 7.5 months
-- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions will cause engine
oil to break down slower.
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.

6-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter
every 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult,
you may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
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 you check your transmission fluid.