check transmission fluid CHEVROLET SSR 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid
If your transmission uid in your vehicle needs to be
changed, this message will appear on the DIC.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-21
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5for more
information.
Check Oil Level
If the oil level in the vehicle is low this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and add oil as
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display.
Depress Brake
This message will be displayed on the DIC when you
try to raise or lower the convertible top without rst
pressing the brake pedal. The brake pedal must
be pressed in order to operate the convertible top.
SeeConvertible Top on page 2-37for more information.
Pressing the brake pedal will clear the message, or
you can press the select button to acknowledge
and clear the message from the DIC display.
Driver Door Ajar
This message will be displayed on the DIC when the
driver’s door was not closed completely. A chime
will sound. Stop the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles, and close the door again. Fully closing the
driver’s door will clear this message from the display, or
you can press the select button to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display.
Engine Coolant Hot Idle Engine
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If the cooling system temperature becomes too hot, this
message will appear in the DIC and you will hear a
chime. Stop the vehicle and let the engine idle in
PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach a safe
temperature. You may need to add more coolant to your
vehicle before driving again. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-24andEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-30for more information. This message will
clear from the DIC display when the coolant temperature
drops to a safe operating temperature.
3-46

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-14
Engine Cover...............................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-32Brakes........................................................5-33
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
Rear Axle.......................................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-42
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-43
Headlamps..................................................5-43
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-44
Taillamps.....................................................5-46
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-48
Tires..............................................................5-51
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-56
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-57
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-58
Buying New Tires.........................................5-59
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-61
Wheel Replacement......................................5-62
Tire Chains..................................................5-64
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-65
Tire Inator Kit.............................................5-66
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ame if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change the
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) 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 uid and lter every
60,000 miles (100 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
5-21

How to Check the Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be difficult, you may choose
to have this done at the 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.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic—especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C). If your vehicle has the auxiliary gage
package, you can check the transmission uid
temperature. SeeAuxiliary Gage Package on page 3-38
for more information.
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F (10°C). If it’s colder than 50°F (10°C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold uid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for ve minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the uid
level be low during this cold check, you must check
the uid hot before adding uid. Checking the uid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of the uid level.
5-22

Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transmission dipstick
handle may have this
symbol on it or say
TRANS/LOCK.The transmission dipstick is located on the passenger’s
side of the vehicle in the rear of the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The uid level must be in the COLD area,
below the cross-hatched area, for a cold check or in
the HOT area or cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ip the handle down
to lock the dipstick in place.
5-23

How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-15.
Add uid only after checking the transmission uid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.)
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much uid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Don’t overll.
Notice:We recommend you use only uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, because uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by uid other than DEXRON
®-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check” earlier.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to
your radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-24

Capacities and Specications
Refer toPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15for more information. All capacities are
approximate. When adding uids, be sure to ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
Recheck the uid level after lling.
Capacities and Specications
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap
5.3L V8 T M30 0.040 inches (1.01 mm)
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air conditioning Refrigerant R-134a 2.8 lbs. 1.27 kg
Cooling System 15.3 quarts 14.5 L
Differential Fluid 4.0 quarts 6.6 L
Engine Oil with Filter 6.0 quarts 5.7 L
Fuel Tank 25.0 gallons 94.6 L
Rear Axle 2.4 quarts 2.3 L
Transmission
(Drain and Rell)5.0 quarts 4.7 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 ft-lbs. 140Y
5-90

Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-75.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-15.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission uid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-21. A uid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door and fuel door hinges, latches
and locks, including the glove box and console
doors, the body hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl and any moving seat hardware.
Lubricate the hood safety lever pivot and prop rod pivot.
Part D tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication
may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment.
6-10

A
Accessing the Tire Inator Kit...........................5-66
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-32
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-81
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-37
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-62, 3-71
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-26
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Airbag Systems..............................................1-40
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-48
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-46
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-52
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-46
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-47
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-45
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-42
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Compressor..............................................5-68
Air Conditioning..............................................3-18
AM ...............................................................3-81
Antenna, Integrated Windshield.........................3-81
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-29Appearance Care............................................5-72
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-75
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-78
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-73
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-75
Finish Damage............................................5-78
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-78
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-78
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-79
Weatherstrips..............................................5-75
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-58
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-80
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-81
Care of Your CDs........................................3-81
Integrated Windshield Antenna.......................3-81
Radio with CD............................................3-59
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-68
Setting the Time..........................................3-59
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-80
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-81
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-17
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-10
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-11
Auxiliary Gage Package...................................3-38
1

Certication/Tire Label.....................................4-35
Chains, Tire...................................................5-64
Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid....................3-46
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-36
Check Engine Light.........................................3-30
Check Oil Level..............................................3-46
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-34
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-14
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level.................................................5-23
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-78
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-25
Infants and Young Children...........................1-22
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-31
Older Children.............................................1-20
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-33Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger
Seat Position...........................................1-36
Top Strap...................................................1-29
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-31
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-73
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-75
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-78
Weatherstrips..............................................5-75
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-77
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-76
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-73
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-75
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-75
Cleaning Leather............................................5-74
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-75
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-77
Cleaning Tires................................................5-78
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-74
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-12
3