engine oil CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1996 3.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Never use oil or grease on stud! r nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
Replace the wheel nuts
with the rounded end
of the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each
nut by hand or with
the wheel wrench
until the wheel is held
against the hub.
10. Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called
MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on.
If this happens, return to your
authorized Chevrolet dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
c~ lply with the specifications described earlier.
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I NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. 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.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
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.
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 Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Things Under the Hood Hood Release
1
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure
you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any
underhood electric fan.
A CAUTION:
- -
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 hot engine.
The following sections tell
you how to check fluids,
lubricants
and important parts underhood.
1
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the
vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.2L Engine (Code 4)
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir F.
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
C. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (if equipped)
G. Air Cleaner
D. Engine Oil Fill CapDipstick H. Battery
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.4L Engine (Code T)
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
I
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
E Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
G. Battery
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away.
For more
information,
see “Check Oil
Light” in the Index. You
should check your engine
oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
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.
Check the
oil here if you
have a 2.2L engine. Check the
oil here if you have a
2.4L engine, the
dipstick’s handle will be a yellow ring.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking 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 down, and check the level.
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 explains what kind of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
~~
NOTICE:
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine This is where you add oil if you have a 2.2L engine. This is where you add oil if you have a 2.4L engine.
Just 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What Kind of 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 following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE. -
HOT
WEATHER
f°F
-
+ 100-
+ BO -
I-
WOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
‘I 111 SAE 1UW-30
SAE&-~ PREFERRED
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going
to be
0°F (-18OC) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 2OW-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
46Starburst” 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.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Chevrolet 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:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most
trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips
are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one
of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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