automatic transmission fluid GMC SAVANA 1998 Owners Manual

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and then shift to
PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each of these
is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-36
ProCarManuals.com

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-5
6-7
6-8
6- 11
6- 12
6- 16
6-
17
6-2 1
6-2 1
6-24
6-25
6-25
6-26
6-27
6-3
1
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
Service
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
Filling Your Tank (Gasoline Engine)
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Noise Control System Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
Air Cleaner (Gasoline Engines)
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear Axle
Engine Coolant
Radiator Pressure Cap
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
6-32
6-32
6-40
6-4
1
6-5 1
6-5 1
6-55
6-56
6-57
6-57
6-57
6-59
6-60
6-6
1
6-66
6-67
6-69 Bulb
Replacement
Halogen Bulbs
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
Cleaning Tires
Sheet Metal Damage
Finish Damage
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VJN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
6-1
ProCarManuals.com

5. Install a new filter element with the folds in the
down position.
Reverse Steps
1 through 4 to replace the air cleaner.
See “Normal Replacement Parts” for the proper filter
to use.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to
replace the air filter and crankcase ventilation filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
I
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air,
it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage
it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Automatic
Transmission Fluid” in the Diesel Supplement.
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
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle’s GVWR is over 8,600 or
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
6-17
ProCarManuals.com

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the
HOT area or cross-hatched area
for
a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip
the handle
down
to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Add fluid
only after checking the transmission fluid
while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a
reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of
the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area
for a hot check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally
less than one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill.
I NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warrantv.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How
to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all
the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-20
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule =- Gasoline Engines I
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
Check axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. (See footnote **.)
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation’’ in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle’s GVWR is
over
8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
DATE I
MILEAGE
DATE
I
~EAGE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL
these conditions: ’
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
- 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
andfilter
at 100,000 miles (166 000 kin).
(32 O C) or higher.
7-16
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule =- Gasoline Engines I
0 Check axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. (See footnote **.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
17 Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. (See footnote **.)
An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote #.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle’s GVWR is
over 8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
(32°C) or higher.
DATE-
-
DATE 1
ProCarManuals.com

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -= Gasoline Engines
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km) (Continued)
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven’t changed your automatic transmission fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
whichever
occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
MILEAGE
An Emission Control Service.
7-26
ProCarManuals.com

Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. (See footnote **.)
0 Vehicles With GVWR Above 8,500 lbs. Only: Inspect shields and underhood
insulation for damage or looseness. Adjust or replace as required.
This is a
Noise Emission Control Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote #.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle’s GVWR is
over
8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
(32°C) or higher.
(Continued)
DATE I
MILEAGE
ACTUAL SERVICED BY
DATE
7-31
ProCarManuals.com

Long TripMighway Maintenance Schedule -I Gasoline Engines I
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle’s GVWR is
over
8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
(32°C) or
higher.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
previously and, therefore, haven’t changed your automatic transmission fluid,
change both
the fluid and filter.
An Emission Control Service.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE I
7-37
ProCarManuals.com

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If
you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission” in the Index. A fluid
loss may indicate a problem. Check the system and
repair if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood hinges, hood prop rod pivot, fuel
filler door, rear compartment hinges, latches, locks and
any moving seat hardware. Part
D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-39
ProCarManuals.com