oil dipstick CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2004 1.G Owners Manual

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-33andCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Fill. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-23.
G. Fan. SeeCooling System on page 5-33andEngine
Fan Noise on page 5-40.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-48.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-41.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-48.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-43.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood Fuse Block”
underFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-120.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-47.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-42.
5-13

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-33andCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-23.
F. Engine Oil Fill. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
G. Fan. SeeCooling System on page 5-33andEngine
Fan Noise on page 5-40.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-48.I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-48.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-41.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-43.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood Fuse Block”
underFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-120.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-47.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-42.
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Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see “CHECK OIL LEVEL” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-65.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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 handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
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.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, then you will need to add at least one
quart of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil
crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and Specications
on page 5-128.8.1L Engine
All Other Engines
5-16

Notice:Do not 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.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you are through.What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting
GM Standard GM6094M. You should look for and
use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
5-17

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
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 doesn’t take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Don’t overll.
Notice:We recommend you use only uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, because uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by uid other than DEXRON
®-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described underHow to Check.
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 5 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 5-29.
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.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-26