CHEVROLET VENTURE 1998 Owners Manual

Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
While refueling, hang the cap by the tether from the
hook
on the filler door hinge or let the cap hang by the
tether as shown.
To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if
you let
go of the cap too sc I, it will spring back to the right.
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if‘ you open the
fuel filler 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 “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning
the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left
off or
improperly installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. See “Malfunction
Indicator Lamp’’
* L the Index.
Fillinq a Portable Fuel Container
-.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it
may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
I
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.
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Checking Things Under the Hood
I A CAUTION: I
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running,
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
A CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
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 Release
To open the hood, first pull the hood release handle
inside
the vehicle.
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: . ... , .., . ,
Then go to the front of the vehicle and push up on the
underhood release.
Lift the hood.
The hood prop may be hot due to increased engine
temperatures under the hood,
so be careful when
handling
it. Use your hood prop sleeve when handling
the hood prop.
Pull forward on the hood
prop to release it from its
storage clip. Then put the
end
of the hood prop into
the slot in the underside of
the hood.
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When you lift the hood, you'll see these items:
rn
A. Underhood Fuse and D. Radiator Pressure Cap H. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
C. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir Relay Center
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir I. Brake Master Cylinder
E Engine Oil Fill Location J. Air Cleaner
G. Engine Oil Dipstick K. Engine Coolant Reservoir
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on
the hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in
the hood and return the prop
to its retainer. Then just
let the hood down and close it firmly.
Underhood Lamp (If Equipped)
Your underhood lamp will go on when you open
the hood.
Engine Oil
If the LEVEL light on
the instrument panel comes on, it means you need
to
level right away.
hhhhhh
LWEL
check your engine oil
For more information, see “LOW Oil Level Light” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly:
this
is an added reminder. 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 at the front of the
engine compartment, near the center. The dipstick
handle has a bright, yellow loop design for easy
identification.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes
to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show
the actual level.
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Checking Engine Oil
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 at or below the ADD 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
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
NOTICE: I
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating
range, your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is
located just behind the
engine oil dipstick.
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.
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use RECOMMENDED SAE YlSCOSlTT GRADE ENGINE OILS
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified
by loolung 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.
b _- 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:
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE YlSCOSlTv GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
1 WEATHER
I- SA€ I 1OW-30
COLD
I WEATHER
DO NOT USE SA€ 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 1OW-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
-20°F (-29"C), consider using either an
SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an
SAE OW-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. Your dealer is ready to
advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 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).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
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 fust
.
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If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that 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.)
Air Cleaner
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you The air cleaner is located at the front of the engine
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all free-flowing Oil compartment (on the driver’s side of the vehicle),
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil under the engine coolant reservoir.
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.
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