engine oil CHEVROLET IMPALA 2002 8.G Owner's Manual

6-15
3400 (Code E) V6 EngineAs in the chart shown previously, if you have the
3400 V6 engine, 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.

6-16
As shown in the following chart, if you have the
3800 V6 engine, SAE 10W
-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, you should use SAE 5W
-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils, such
as SAE 20W
-50.
3800 (Code K) V6 Engine

6-17
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 ENGINE OIL message 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.

6-18
How to Reset the Change Engine Oil Message
The GM Oil Life System
calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation
occurs where you change your oil prior to a being turned
on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message use one
of the following procedures:
Using the Radio
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON, with the radio off.
2. Press and hold the TUNE DISP button on the radio for
at least five seconds until SETTINGS is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK PTYPE up or down arrow to scroll
through the main menu.4. Scroll until OIL LIFE appears on the display.
5. Press the 1 PREV or 2 NEXT button to enter the
submenu. RESET will be displayed.
6. Press the TUNE DISP button to reset. A chime will
be heard to verify the new setting and DONE will be
displayed for one second.
7. Once the message has been reset, scroll until EXIT
appears on the display.
8. Press the TUNE DISP button to exit programming.
A chime will be heard to verify the exit.
Using the Accelerator Pedal
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
times within five seconds.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message flashes, the
system is reset. However, if it stays on, it did not reset.
You'll need to repeat the reset procedure.

6-19 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
The engine air cleaner/filter is located in the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index
for more information on location.
To check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter do
the following:
1. Loosen the two clips on the top of the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and lift the filter cover tabs out
of the housing.
2. Push the filter cover housing toward the engine.

6-21
2. Raise the hood.
3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and air inlet grille.
4. Peel back the hood weatherstrip from the passenger's
side of the vehicle halfway to center.
5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the air deflector grille in the compartment.8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
9. Then reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
For the type of filter to use, see ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

6-25
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
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.

6-32
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3
brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in
the Index.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

6-69
Engine Oil with Filter
3400 (Code E) V6 4.3 quarts (4.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 (Code K) V6 4.3 quarts (4.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank17.0 U.S. gallons (64.0 L) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure
to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index.
Engine Specifications
3400 (LA1) V6 Engine
Type V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIN Code E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 204 CID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 (L36) V6 Engine
Type V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIN Code K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 231 CID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-6-5-4-3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning
Refrigerant Capacity
If you do your own service work, you'll need the proper
service manual. See ªDoing Your Own Service Workº in
the Index for additional information. It is recommended
that service work on your air conditioning system be
performed by a qualified technician.
Air Conditioning
Refrigerant R±134a 2.3 lbs. (1.09 kg). . . . . . . . . . .
Use Refrigerant R134a System

6-70
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
All Engines A1614C*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
All Engines GM Part No. 10406026. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter
All Engines PF47*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spark Plugs
3400 (Code E) V6 41
-940* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52 mm)
3800 (Code K) V6 41
-921* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Length 22.0 inches (56.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type Shepherd's Hook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
*AC Delco

part number.