recommended oil CHEVROLET C/K 2003 Owners Manual

2-25
NOTICE:
If the wait to start light stays on, it means that
your vehicle could have one of several problems,
so you should have it serviced right away.
3. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of
cranking, turn the ignition key to OFF. Wait
one minute for the starter to cool, then try the
same steps again.
If you're trying to start your engine after you've run
out of fuel, follow the steps in ªRunning Out of Fuel.º
See ªDiesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel Systemº in
the Index.
When your engine is cold, let it run for a few minutes
before you move your vehicle. This lets oil pressure
build up. Your engine will sound louder when it's cold.
NOTICE:
If you're not in an idling vehicle and the engine
overheats, you wouldn't be there to see the
overheated engine condition. This could damage
your vehicle. Don't let your engine run when
you're not in your vehicle.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel Engine)
The following tips will help you get good starting in
cold weather.
Use the recommended engine oil when the outside
temperature drops below freezing. See ªEngine Oilº in
the Index. When the outside temperature drops below
0
F (
-18
C), use of the engine coolant heater is
recommended.
If you experience longer cranking times, notice an
unusual amount of exhaust smoke or are at higher
altitudes (over 7,000 ft. or 2 135 m), you may use your
engine coolant heater. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in
the Index.
See ªDiesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel Systemº in the
Index for information on what fuel to use in cold weather.

2-27
Engine Checks Before Operating
When you've started your engine, let it run for 20 to
30 seconds before you put a load on the engine. But
don't leave the vehicle while the engine is running.
Avoid unnecessary idling of diesel engine equipped
vehicles.
If the engine idles too long, the temperature of the
engine coolant will fall below the normal operating
range. Low engine operating temperature causes several
conditions which affect engine operation and reduce
engine life.
The engine should be permitted to go through a
warm
-up period. Operate the vehicle at a minimum of
600 rpm during the warm
-up period. During this period
and during operation, the following observations should
be made.
During this warm
-up period, check your warning lights
and gages:

If oil pressure doesn't begin to rise within
15 seconds of starting, stop the engine and
find the cause.
If the engine coolant temperature gage needle goes
into the hot area on the gage, stop the engine and
find the cause of the overheating.

If you have air brakes, the dual
-needle air pressure
gage should read at least 115 psi (790 kPa) for both
service systems before you try to move the vehicle.
When air pressure is below 60 psi (420 kPa), the
LOW AIR light will come on and you will hear a
tone alarm. If the pressure doesn't build up or
drops during warm
-up, stop the engine and find
the cause before you try to move the vehicle.
Recommended air pressure before actually driving
away is 120 psi (830 kPa).

The charging system light should come on when
the ignition key is turned to RUN or START and
should go out when the engine is running above idle.
If the light doesn't go out or comes back on during
normal engine operation, have the charging system
checked right away. (This light tells you if the
generator is not charging; it doesn't reflect the
condition of the battery.)

5-23
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. You can remove
the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap
and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly counterclockwise (left) about
one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some pressure left.

6-5
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your
fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber
parts. That damage wouldn't be covered under
your warranty.
Diesel Fuel Requirements and
Fuel System
Diesel Engine Fuel
For the Caterpillar diesel, see the Caterpillar
Operation & Maintenance Manual for information
concerning fuel usage.
NOTICE:
Diesel fuel or fuel additives not recommended in
this manual could damage your fuel system and
engine. Your warranty wouldn't cover this
damage. And:

Diesel fuel that has been mixed with engine
oil could damage your engine and emission
controls.

If you ever run out of diesel fuel, it can be
difficult to restart your engine. To avoid all
this, never let your tank get empty.
If you run out of fuel, ªRunning Out of Fuel,º later in
this section, tells you how to restart your engine.

6-6 What Fuel to Use
In the United States, for best results use Number 2-D
diesel fuel year
-round (above and below freezing
conditions) as oil companies blend Number 2
-D fuel to
address climate differences. Number 1
-D diesel fuel
may be used in very cold temperatures (when it stays
below 0
F or
-18
C); however, it will produce a power
and fuel economy loss. Avoid the use of Number 1
-D
diesel fuel in warm or hot climates. It may result in
stalling, poor starting when the engine is hot and may
damage the fuel injection system.
At a minimum, the diesel fuel you use should meet
specifications ASTM D975
-00 (Grade Low Sulfur) in
the United States. In addition, the Engine Manufacturers
Association (EMA) has identified properties of an
improved diesel fuel for better engine performance and
durability. Diesel fuels corresponding to the EMA
Recommended Guideline on Premium Diesel Fuel
(FQP
-1A) could provide better starting, less noise and
better vehicle performance. If there are questions about
the fuel you are using, contact your fuel supplier.Diesel fuel may foam when you fill your tank. This can
cause the automatic pump nozzle to shut off, even
though your tank isn't full. If this happens, just wait for
the foaming to stop and then continue to fill your tank.
CAUTION:
Heat coming from the engine may cause the fuel
to expand and force the fuel out of your tank. If
something ignites the fuel, a fire could start and
people could be burned. To help avoid this, fill
your fuel tank only until the automatic nozzle
shuts off. Don't try to ªtop it off.º

6-15
Fuels in Foreign Countries
(Gasoline Engines)
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel 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.
Filling Your Tank
C4/C5 Models

6-24 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
If you have your oil
changed for you, be sure
the oil put into your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.

6-25
As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is best for
your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's
going to be 0
F (
-18
C) or above. These numbers on
an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not
use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls
below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an
SAE 5W
-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both
will provide easier cold starting and better protection for
your engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change oil light will come on. Change your
oil as soon as possible within the next two times you
stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate
that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset. It is also
important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.

6-29

SAE 15W-40
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 15W
-40 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE
10W
-30 at temperatures above 0F (-18C).
When it's very cold, below 0F (
-18C), you should
use SAE 5W
-40 to improve cold starting.
These numbers on the oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 10W
-40 or SAE 20W-50.
This doughnut-shaped logo
(symbol) is used on most
oil containers to help you
select the correct oil. It
means that the oil has been
certified by the American
Petroleum Institute.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that display the logo.
GM Goodwrench
 oil of the recommended viscosity
grades meets all the requirements for your vehicle.

6-30 Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the API service symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
Change engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles
(16 000 km) or every 12 months, whichever occurs first.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
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. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never 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.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the engine air cleaner/filter. See ªScheduled
Maintenanceº in the Index.
The engine air cleaner/filter
is located in the center of
the engine compartment.
Your gasoline or diesel engine has a restriction indicator
that lets you know when the engine air cleaner/filter
needs to be serviced.