adding oil HUMMER H3 2009 Owners Manual

Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists
in starting the engine and
protects components. If the
ignition key is turned to the
START position, and then
released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine
will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not
start and the key is held in
START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent
gear damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine
is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by
turning the ignition switch
to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5-10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded
with too much gasoline. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way
to the oor and holding it there
as you hold the key in START
for a maximum of 15 seconds.Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool. When the
engine starts, let go of the key
and accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briey but then stops
again, repeat the procedure.
This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine. Do not race
the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics
in the vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
2-18 Features and Controls

Service and
Appearance Care
Service
Service...............................5-3
Accessories and
Modications.....................5-3
California Proposition
65 Warning.......................5-4
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................5-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle........5-5
Fuel
Fuel....................................5-5
Gasoline Octane.................5-5
Gasoline Specications.......5-5
California Fuel....................5-5
Additives.............................5-6
Fuels in Foreign
Countries..........................5-7
Filling the Tank...................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container..........................5-8
Checking Things Under
the Hood
Checking Things Under
the Hood..........................5-9
Hood Release.....................5-9
Engine Compartment
Overview.........................5-10
Engine Oil.........................5-13
Engine Oil Life System.....5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . .5-17
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................5-18
Manual Transmission
Fluid................................5-20
Hydraulic Clutch................5-21
Cooling System.................5-22
Engine Coolant.................5-23
Engine Overheating...........5-27
Engine Fan Noise.............5-28
Power Steering Fluid.........5-29
Windshield Washer Fluid. . .5-30
Brakes..............................5-30
Battery..............................5-33
Jump Starting...................5-34
Rear Axle
Rear Axle.........................5-38
Four-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive..............5-38
Front Axle
Front Axle.........................5-39
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............5-39
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............5-41
Halogen Bulbs..................5-41
Headlamps........................5-41
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps and Back-up
Lamps (H3)
.....................5-42
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps and Back-up
Lamps (H3T)
...................5-42
License Plate Lamp..........5-43
Replacement Bulbs...........5-43
Service and Appearance Care 5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-30.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-23.
C.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-17.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-29.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 5-18.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-13.G. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on
page 5-22.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal
(GND). SeeJump Starting on
page 5-34.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
J. Positive (+) Battery Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on
page 5-34.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-30.
L.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 5-92.
M.Battery on page 5-33.
N. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped). SeeHydraulic
Clutch on page 5-21.
Service and Appearance Care 5-11

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-17.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
(If Equipped). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-30.
D. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-23.
E. Automatic Transmission
Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 5-18.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-13.G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 5-13.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 5-30.
I.Battery on page 5-33.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-29.
K.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 5-92.
L. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on
page 5-22.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 5-10for 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.
Service and Appearance Care 5-13

Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic
transmission uid level is when
the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed inAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6, and
be sure to use the transmission
uid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, you may choose
to have this done at the
dealer/retailer service department.
If adding it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or there
could be 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.
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 3 (Third) 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),
the engine might have to idle
longer. Should the uid level
be low during this cold check,
check the uid hot before adding
uid. Checking the uid hot gives
a more accurate reading of the
uid level.
5-18 Service and Appearance Care

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 the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered
by the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission
uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
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.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check the manual
transmission uid is when the
engine oil is changed. However,
the uid in the manual transmission
does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, you may choose
to have this done at your GM
dealer/retailer service department.
If doing it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or there
could be a false reading.Notice:Too much or too little
uid can damage your
transmission. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check
your transmission uid.
To check the uid:
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface, then shut the engine off.
Let the vehicle sit until the
transmission case is cool enough
to touch.
2. Remove the ller plug.
5-20 Service and Appearance Care

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
is lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and
add coolant when it is low.
If there is a problem with engine
overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-27.
What to Use
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning.
The engine could catch re and
you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C), outside
temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C), engine
temperature.
Protects against rust and
corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors
and/or additives are used in the
vehicle’s cooling system, the
vehicle could be damaged.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling
system. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for more information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-23

Do not top off the brake uid. Adding
uid does not correct a leak. If uid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much uid when new
brake linings are installed. Add or
remove brake uid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
{CAUTION
If too much brake uid is added,
it can spill on the engine and
burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake uid only
when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking
Brake Fluid” in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake uid. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake uid by looking at the
brake uid reservoir. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10.
The uid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not over
the MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT-3 brake uid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in the
brake hydraulic system, the brakes
might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly
damage brake hydraulic system
parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil,
such as engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be
replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, the
paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid
on the vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-86.
Service and Appearance Care 5-31