oil dipstick CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 2001 2.G Owners Manual

6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, this is what you will see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Engine Coolant
C. Engine Oil DipstickD. Transmission Dipstick
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
F. Engine Oil FillG. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Battery

6-12
Engine Oil
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 engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring and is located
near the center of the engine compartment. 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.

6-13
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, 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
cross
-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is located on the valve cover in
the engine compartment on the passenger's side of the
vehicle. Your vehicle may have a cap with text and a
graphic or just a graphic as shown above. 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.

6-22
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
50,000 miles (83 000 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.