check engine CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER 2007 1.G Owner's Guide

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 410.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 420.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 427.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 426.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 411.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 402.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 418.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 402.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 432.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 428.
K. Battery. SeeBattery on page 431.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 503.
397

A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 420.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 410.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 427.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 402.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick.
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 411.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 402.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 418.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 432.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 426.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 428.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 503.
L. Battery. SeeBattery on page 431.
399

A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 420.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 410.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 427.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 402.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick.
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 411.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Under Engine Cover).
See “When to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 402.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 418.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 432.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 426.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 428.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 503.
L. Battery. SeeBattery on page 431.
401

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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 handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 396
for 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 you
do not do this, 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.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the L mark for the L6 engine or
the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick
for the V8 engine, you need to add at least
one quart/liter of oil. But you must use the right
kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
L6 Engine
V8 Engine
402

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
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 engine oil
light will come on, and, if your vehicle has a
Driver Information Center (DIC), a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message will come. SeeChange
Engine Oil Light on page 216andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 224.Change your oil as soon as possible within the
next 600 miles (1 000 km). 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, the engine oil
and lter must be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer has GM-trained people who will
perform this work using genuine GM parts and
reset the system. It is also important to check the
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 the last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
408

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 522, and
be sure to use the transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 529.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
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 uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that
some of the uid could come out and fall on hot
engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a
re. Too little uid could cause the transmission
to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission uid.
411

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
drive the vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains steady
for 10 minutes.
A cold uid 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 ve minutes if
outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or more.If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the uid level be low
during this cold check, you must check the uid
hot before adding uid. Checking the uid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of the
uid level.Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
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 PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes
or more.
412

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then remove the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
The automatic
transmission dipstick
handle with this symbol
on it is located in the
engine compartment on
the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 396for more information on location.
2. Reinstall it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull it back out again.
If the dipstick does not go down the tube
easily, turn the blade and try again until it is
fully inserted in the tube.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the COLD
area, below the cross-hatched area, for a cold
check or in the HOT or cross-hatched area for
a hot check. Be sure to keep the dipstick
pointed down to get an accurate reading.
4.
If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
reinstall the dipstick back in all the way; then ip
the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Consistency of Readings
Always check the uid level at least twice using
the procedure described previously. Consistency
(repeatable readings) is important to maintaining
proper uid level. If inconsistent readings
persist, contact your dealer.
413

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 529.
Add uid only after checking the transmission
uid while it is hot. A cold check is used only as
a reference. If the uid level is low, add only
enough of the proper uid to bring the level up to
the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take
much uid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L).
Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 529.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then ip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 418.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
414

If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 529for more information.Checking Coolant
The engine coolant
recovery tank is in the
engine compartment on
the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. The cap has
this symbol on it. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 396
for more information on
location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
FULL COLD, or a little higher.
416