oil level CHEVROLET S10 1995 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
210
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves
into the red area, your
engine is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions,
you should pull off
the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Hot Coolant Can Burn you Badly! In Problems On The Road, this manual
explains what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage
shows the engine oil
pressure in psi
(pounds per square
inch) when the engine
is running. Canadian
vehicles indicate
pressure
in kPa
(kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside temperature and oil
viscosity, but readings above
the low pressure zone indicate the normal
operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a aangerously low oil
level or other problems causing low oil pressure.
2-65

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The
exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to
think you are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh
- such as after a day’s work - don’t plan to make too many
miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to
go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in GM dealerships
all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need
it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
0 Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Should
you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There
is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery,
along with the hum of the tires on the road,
the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a
second,
and you could crash and be injured.
What can you
do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
4-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you might have to use your brakes
so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade,
shift down and reduce your speed to around 45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, consider the following:
Engine coolant will boil at a lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If
you
turn your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK
(P) (or the manual transmission
out of gear and the parking brake applied) for
a few minutes before turning
the engine
off. If you do get the overheat warning, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
Parking on Hi//s
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into PARK (P) yet, or into
gear for a manual transmission. When parking uphill,
turn your wheels
away from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the
curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and then
shift into PARK
(P), or REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission.
5. If you have a four-wheeldrive vehicle with a manual transfer case
shift lever, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear - not in
NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the parking brake.
4-48

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you decide it's
safe to lift the hood,
here's what you'll see:
A. Coolant recovery
tank
B. Radiator pressure
cap
C. Engine fan
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don't do anything
else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at the
ADD mark. If it isn't, you may have a
leak in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
5-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 drain back
into the oil pan.
If you
don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the
actual level.
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 down.
6-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, 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.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the pro\
per
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil filler cap is located on the driver’s side engine valve cover.
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.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be identified by looking for
the “Starburst” symbol. The “Starburst” symbol indicates that the oil has
been certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), and is preferred
for use in your gasoline engine.
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.
6-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 your GM dealership Service Department.
If
you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall\

on
hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, 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).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating
temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 krn) when outside temperatures are above 50°F ( 1 0°C).
If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C), drive the vehicle in THIRD GEAR (D) until
the engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the hot check procedures.
6- 14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission fluid.
Check the fluid 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:
h
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.
6-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Lock Cylinders
To be sure your locks operate properly, they must be lubricated.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to lubricate them
and what type of lubricant to use.
You should not
use penetrating oils because they could wash out the factory
installed lubricant and cause the lock to bind. De-icers which contain
alcohol could also wash away the lubricant,
so be sure to lubricate the lock
after using a de-icer of this type.
Exhaust System
To help prevent damage to your exhaust system, do not continue to drive
your vehicle if you notice:
Engine misfiring
Loss of performance
Exhaust system components hanging lower than normal.
Loud exhaust system noises.
Other unusual operating conditions
Have your engine and exhaust system serviced regularly.
Three-way Catalytic Converter
Your vehicle’s three-way catalytic converter is designed to reduce the
pollutants in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use only unleaded fuel in your vehicle.
If you use leaded fuel, you could damage your three-way catalytic converter
and other engine components.
Engine Control Module System
This system has an oxygen (02) sensor that helps keep your engine’s
air-fuel mixture at a proper level. Use only unleaded fuel in your vehicle. If
you use leaded fuel, you could damage your oxygen
(02) sensor and affect
your vehicle’s emissions.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (SERVICE ENGINE
SOON)
This light on your instrument panel lets you know when your emission
system needs service. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
6-39

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance Schedule
IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE
AS RECOMMENDED
Section
7
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle
needs these services
to retain its safety, dependability and emission control
performance.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan.? The Plan sctpplem.ent,s yo~~r
new vehicle warranties. See your GM dealerafor detuils.
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the ~ vironment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your vehicle in good
working condition, but
also helps the environment. All recommended
maintenance procedures are important. Improper vehicle maintenance or the
removal
of important components can significantly affect the quality of the
air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or even
the wrong tire inflation can
increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and
to help keep your vehicle in good condition, please
maintain your vehicle properly.
7-1