oil CHEVROLET BLAZER 1993 User Guide

Service & Appearance Care
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the US. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard
to find. Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tank full, your emission controls won’t work well \
or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system \
can corrode,
and your engine
oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s three-way catalytic
converter and oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means costly
repairs that wouldn’t
be covered by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil
company
that does business in the country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re
going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International Export Sales
Post Office Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
Fi/ling Your Tank
I PO444
The fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of your vehicle. To take
off the cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise).
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~AUTION
- 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
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the filler caps are on properly. Then just
pull the
hood down and close it firmly.
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.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to get back down into the
oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
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I
K2613
To Check 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
lower.
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part exp\
lains what
kind
of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specification\
s”
in the Index.
I Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range, your
engine could be damaged.
I
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Service & Appearance Cam
r
K2543
What Kind of Oil to Use:
Look for three things:
SG
SG must be on the oil container, either by itself or combined with other
quality designations, such as WCC, SG/CD, SF, SG, CC, etc. These
letters show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels
of quality.
I NOTICE
f you use oils that don’t have the “SG” designa..-.., , - J can cause
mgine damage not covered by your warranty.
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Service & Appearance Care
SAE IOW-30
Vehicles with Heavy Duty Emissions (8501 GWR or more).
As shown in this chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However,
you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going to be colder than 60°F (16°C)
before your next oil change. When it's very cold, below 0°F (-18"C), you
should use
SAE 5W-30.
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These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 2OW-50.
Energy Conserving II
Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil contai\
ners to help
you select the correct oil,
You should look for this on the
oil container, and use only those oils that
display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Addifives:
Don't add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you think
something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil:
See if any one of these is true for you;
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It's below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door to door
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated off-road. delivery, or in stop-and-go
traffic),
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil
and filter every 3,000 miles (5000 km) or 3 months-whichever comes first.
Vehicles with Light Duty Emissions (8500 GVWR or less).
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or 12
months-whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change and at
every other oil change after that.
Vehicles with Heavy Duty Emissions (8501 GVWR or more).
If none of them is true, change the oil every 6,000 miles (1 0 000 km) or 12
months-whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change and at
every other oil change after that if mileage determines when you change your
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Service & Appearance Care
oil. If time determines when you change your oil, change the filter ea\
ch time
you change your oil.
Engine Block Heater:
An engine block heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option, see
“Engine Block Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
Used engine oil contains things that have caused skin cancer in
laboratory animals. 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.
. ,A:<< --.
L. .. . .. ,-. f .- , L ., -J ’,: ._ - -
..:.: ;,i, j I -.. : j ,!
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If YOU change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever
dispose of oil 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.
Air Cleaner
c
PO21 6
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air
cleaner filter and crankcase ventilation filter. See “Schedule\
d Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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I CAUTION
I 10 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, y(--
could be burned. Don’t drive with it
off, and be cr-ful working on
the engine with the air cleaner
off.
~
NOTICE I
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.
Ib remove the air cleaner filter on a gas engine, turn the wing nuts
counterclockwise. Remove the cover and change the filter.
-
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. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in \
the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a General Motors dealership Sewice 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 I
I
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could come out and fail
on hot engine parts,
I
starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check-your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid 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.
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Service & Appearance Cam
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check:
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the fluid in your manual transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
IYW I ILL
1 Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can 1
mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts,
starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid,
I I
Check the fluld level only when your engine is off, the vehicle is parked on a
level place and the transmission is cool enough for you to rest your fingers
on the transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
~~~~ K24
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure it is fully seated. If
the fluid level is low, add more fluid as described in the next steps.
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Service & Appearance Care
The following explains your cooling system and how to add cool\
ant when it is
low.
If you have a problem with engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
The proper coolant for your vehicle
will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of clean water (preferably distilled), and antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
6038-M,” which won’t damage aluminum parts. Also use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) with a complete coolant change.
If
you use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous.
I
Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil before the \
proper coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With plain water or the wrong mix, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat \
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Us\
e
a 50/50 mix of clean water and a proper antifreeze.
jIi ,yo.w use an improper coolant mix, your engine .coutd overheat andi
badly damaged. The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.’ TP~
much water in ;the mix can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, .heater
wre-ad -.other parts.
Some conditions, such as air trapped in the cooling system, can affect the
coolant level in the radiator. Check the coolant level when th\
e engine is cold
and follow the steps under “Adding Coolant” for the prope\
r way to
add
coolant.
.. .. ..
If you have to add coolant mdre than four times a year, have your dealer
check
your cooling system.
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