check oil CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT 2013 Owners Manual

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Instruments and Controls 5-31Acknowledging this message will
not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING
display. That must be done at the
OIL LIFE screen. See “ Oil Life ”
under Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5 ‑ 23 and Engine Oil
Life System on page 10 ‑ 10 .
ENGINE OIL LOW — ADD OILOn some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this
message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Engine Oil on page 10 ‑ 8 .
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine oil pressure is
low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the
instrument cluster and/or DIC,
stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the cause of the low oil
pressure is corrected. See Engine
Oil on page 10 ‑ 8 for more
information.
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine oil pressure is low.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as
engine damage can result from
driving a vehicle with low oil
pressure. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible
when this message is displayed.
Engine Power Messages ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages FUEL LEVEL LOW This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refill the fuel
tank as soon as possible. See Fuel
Gauge on page 5 ‑ 10 and Filling the
Tank on page 9 ‑ 37 for more
information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP This message may display along
with the malfunction indicator lamp
on the instrument cluster if the
vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened
properly. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5 ‑ 14 . Reinstall the
fuel cap fully. See Filling the Tank
on page 9 ‑ 37 . The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
9-36 Driving and Operating tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. See Fuel Additives
on page 9 ‑ 36 for additional
information.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries If planning to drive in countries
outside the U.S. or Canada, the
proper fuel might be hard to find.
Check regional auto club or fuel
retail brand websites for availability
in the country where driving. Never
use leaded gasoline, fuel containing
methanol, or any other fuel not
recommended. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Fuel Additives Gasoline should contain detergent
additives that help prevent engine
and fuel system deposits from
forming. Clean fuel injectors and
intake valves will allow the emission control system to work properly.
Some gasoline does not contain
sufficient quantities of additive to
keep fuel injectors and intake valves
clean. To make up for this lack of
detergency, it is recommended that
GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS,
part number 88861013 be added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change or every 15 000 km,
whichever occurs first.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) Vehicles that are ethanol fuel
capable can use either unleaded
gasoline or ethanol fuel containing
up to 85% ethanol (E85). For all
other vehicles, use only the
unleaded gasoline described under
Recommended Fuel on page 9 ‑ 35 .
We encourage the use of E85 in
vehicles that are designed to use it.
The ethanol in E85 is a “ renewable ”
fuel, meaning it is made from
renewable sources such as corn
and other crops. Many service stations will not have
an 85% ethanol fuel (E85) pump
available. Those stations that do
have E85 should have a label
indicating ethanol content. Do not
use the fuel if the ethanol content is
greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet
specifications. By definition, this
means that fuel labeled E85 will
have an ethanol content between
70% and 85%. Filling the fuel tank
with fuel mixtures that do not meet
specifications can affect driveability
and could cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to come on.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly
between gasoline and E85. If you
do switch fuels, it is recommended
that you add as much fuel as
possible — do not add less than 11 L
(3 gal) when refueling. You should
drive the vehicle immediately after
refueling for at least 11 km (7 mi) to
allow the vehicle to adapt to the
change in ethanol concentration.

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Driving and Operating 9-41When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working. Driving on Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 10 ‑ 18 .Parking on Hills
{ WARNINGParking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
9-42 Driving and Operating 4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you: .
Start the engine. .
Shift into a gear. .
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11 ‑ 3 . Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page 10 ‑ 18 .
Trailer Towing Three important considerations
have to do with weight: .
The weight of the trailer .
The weight of the trailer tongue .
The total weight on the vehicle's
tires Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be?
Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, special
equipment, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry
must be considered. See “ Weight of
the Trailer Tongue ” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the vehicle can weigh,
based upon the vehicle model and
options.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own
Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Engine Compartment
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-10
Automatic Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-18
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-19
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-23
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-24
Wiper Blade
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Headlamp Aiming Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Bulb Replacement Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-29
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-29 Electrical System Electrical System
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Wheels and Tires Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-38
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Pressure Monitor
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Vehicle Care 10-51. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10 ‑ 11 .
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10 ‑ 19 .
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10 ‑ 13 .
4. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). See “ Checking Engine
Oil ” under Engine Oil on
page 10 ‑ 8 .
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “ When
to Add Engine Oil ” under Engine
Oil on page 10 ‑ 8 .
6. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid on
page 10 ‑ 20 . 7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 10 ‑ 20 .
8. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
See Jump Starting on
page 10 ‑ 65 .
9. Battery on page 10 ‑ 23 .
10. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
and Pressure Cap. See
“ Checking Coolant ” under
Engine Coolant on page 10 ‑ 14 .
11. Remote Negative (-) Terminal.
See Jump Starting on
page 10 ‑ 65 .
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10 ‑ 30 .

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Vehicle Care 10-71. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10 ‑ 11 .
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of
View). See “ When to Add Engine
Oil ” under Engine Oil on
page 10 ‑ 8 .
3. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(Out of View). See Power
Steering Fluid on page 10 ‑ 19 .
4. Engine Cover. See Engine
Cover on page 10 ‑ 7 .
5. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). See “ Checking Engine
Oil ” under Engine Oil on
page 10 ‑ 8 .
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10 ‑ 13 . 7. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid on
page 10 ‑ 20 .
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 10 ‑ 20 .
9. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
See Jump Starting on
page 10 ‑ 65 .
10. Battery on page 10 ‑ 23 .
11. Engine Coolant Surge Tank.
See “ Checking Coolant ” under
Engine Coolant on page 10 ‑ 14 .
12. Remote Negative (-) Terminal.
See Jump Starting on
page 10 ‑ 65 .
13. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10 ‑ 30 .Engine Cover
Engine Cover (3.0L V6)
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover Bolt
3. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1).
2. Remove the engine cover
bolt (2).
3. Raise the engine cover (3) to
release it from the retainers.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
10-8 Vehicle Care 4. Lift and remove the engine
cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1 – 4 to reinstall
the engine cover.
Engine Oil To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment: .
Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“ Selecting the Right Engine Oil ”
in this section. .
Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “ Checking
Engine Oil ” and “ When to Add
Engine Oil ” in this section..
Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10 ‑ 10 . .
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “ What to Do with
Used Oil ” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10 ‑ 4 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running
recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutesfor the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading. { WARNINGThe engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
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.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN
(minimum) mark, add 1 L (1 qt) of
the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See “ Selecting
the Right Engine Oil ” in this section
for an explanation of what kind of oil

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Vehicle Care 10-9to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 12 ‑ 2 .
Notice: Do not add too much oil.
Oil levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be
damaged. You should drain out
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10 ‑ 4 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through. Selecting the Right Engine Oil Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 12 .
Specification
Use and ask for licensed engine oils
with the dexos1 ®
approved
certification mark. Engine oils
meeting the requirements for the
vehicle should have the dexos1
approved certification mark. This
certification mark indicates that the
oil has been approved to the dexos1
specification. Notice: Failure to use the
recommended engine oil or
equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Check with your
dealer or service provider on
whether the oil is approved to the
dexos1 specification.
Viscosity Grade
SAE 5W-30 is the best viscosity
grade for the vehicle. Do not use
other viscosity grade oils such as
SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, or 20W-50.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below − 29°C
( − 20°F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade,
always select an oil of the correct
specification. See “ Specification ”
earlier in this section for more
information.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
10-10 Vehicle Care Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the dexos
specification and displaying the
dexos certification mark are all that
is needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not 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 dispose of 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 or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System When to Change Engine Oil This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON or CHANGE ENGINE
OIL NOW message displays. See
Engine Oil Messages on page 5 ‑ 30 .
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays, change the oil as
soon as possible within the next
1 000 km (600 mi). If the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL NOW message
displays, change the oil as soon as
possible. It is possible that, if driving
under the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)