oil change CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1994 Owners Manual

If Your Diesel Engine Won’t Start
If you’ve run out of fuel, look at “Running Out of Fuel” (see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the Index).
If you’re not out of fuel, and your engine won’t start, do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. Make sure that the “GLOW PLUGS” light
is out. Then turn the ignition key to
START.
If the light doesn’t go off, wait a few seconds, then try starting your engine
again. And, see your dealer as soon as you can for a starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes off and you know your batteries are
charged, but your engine still won’t start, your vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come
on when the engine is cold, your vehicle needs
service.
If your batteries don’t have enough charge to start your engine, see
“Battery” in the Index.
Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that you’ve changed the
oil at the proper times. If you use the wrong oil, your engine may be harder
to start.
If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
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Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will help prevent
deposits from forming
in your engine and fuel system. That helps keep your
engine in tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s good
for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates. General Motors
recommends that you use gasolines with these blending materials, such as
MTBE and ethanol. By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in
those parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated
gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline.
By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their gasolines contain
deposit control additives and oxygenates, and
if they have been
reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
Some states and provinces have restrictions on the purchase of diesel fuel
for light-duty vehicles and require you to
buy permits or pay special taxes.
Some of these restrictions apply only to residents, and others apply to both
residents and visitors. These restrictions can change.
To learn the current
restrictions
in any state or province, contact your auto club, the police or
other officials.
Fuel Requirements
NOTICE:
Diesel fuel or fuel additives not recommended in this manual
could damage your fuel system and engine, Your warranty
wouldn’t cover this damage, And:
0 Diesel fuel that has been mixed with engine oil could damage
your engine and emission controls. Always check with your
service station operator to make sure his diesel fuel has not
been mixed with engine oil.
If you ever run out of diesel fuel, it can be difficult to restart
your engine. “Running Out of Fuel,” later in this section,
tells
you how to get it started again. To avoid all this, try never to
let your tank get empty.
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HEAVY DUTY EMISSIONS -GAS ENGINES
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 "C
+loo - - +38
+80 --+27
+60 - - +16
t40--+4
+20 ---I
0 - --18
LOOK FOR
ONE OF THESE
LABELS
I
I
SAE 1OW-30
PREFERRED
SAE
5W-30
COLD
WEATHER
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
DO
NOT USE SA€
1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAE IOW-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 lOW-40 or SAE 20W-50,
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Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM 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:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
You tow a trailer often.
delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated off-road.
If any one
of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil
andfifilter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first
.
Light Duty Emissions:
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
12 months - whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Heavy Duty Emissions:
If none of them is true, change the oil every 6,000 miles ( 10 000 km) or
12 months - whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that if mileage determines when you
change your oil.
If time determines when you change your oil, change the
filter each time you change your
oil.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather,
0°F (-1 8 “C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater
” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that 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.)
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Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don't ever
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 Oil (Diesel Engines)
It's a good idea to check your engine oil level 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.
A
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 a cloth, then push it
back
in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
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DIESEL ENGINES
I RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
SELECT THE SAE GRADE 011 BASED ON
THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE
I BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
HOT
WEATHER
+loo -
+60 - - +16
+32 -- 0
0 - - -18
-20 - - -29
________
COLD
WEATHER
LABEL
SAE 1OW-30
SAE 15W-40
PREFERRED
above 0°F (-18%)
- SAE r 30
DO NOT USE SAE 1DW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
SAE 15W-40
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 15 W-40 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use
SAE low-30 if it’s going to be colder than
32°F (0°C) before your next oil change. When it’s very cold, below
0°F (-1 8”C), you should use SAE IOW-30 to improve cold starting.
Also, SAE 30 may be used at temperatures above freezing, 32°F (0°C).
These numbers on the oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do
not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 10W-40 or SAE 20W-50.
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This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil containers to help
you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use only those oils that
display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM 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:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
(16 km).
delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated off-road.
If any
of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil and
filter
every 2,500 miles (4 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles
(8 000 km) or 12 months - whichever comes first.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that 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 real threat to the environment.
If you change your own oil.
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever 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.
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To remove the air
cleaner filter
on a gas
engine or
a 6.5 liter
naturally aspirated
diesel, turn the wing
nuts
to the left.
Remove the cover and
change the filter.
To remove the air cleaner filter on a 6.5 liter turbocharged diesel, first
remove the rubber elbow. Remember to observe the caution about
turbocharger blades on the rubber elbow,
Then, unhook the
cover retaining clips
and push the rear
of
the cover toward the
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 a
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.
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WOW to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission
fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the Index.
If the fluid level
is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the
level up to the
COLD area for a cold check or the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally
less than a pint. Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use
only fluid labeled DEXRON@-I11 or DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused
by fluid other than DEXRON@-I11 or
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to
Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick
in place.
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 a
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, 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.
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Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below
the bottom of the filler
plug hole, you’ll need
to add some lubricant.
If the differential is at
operating temperature
(warm), add enough
lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
If the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to raise the level to
1/2 inch
(12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -20°F (-29”C), or -34°F (-37°C) in
Give boiling protection up to 258°F (1 25°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Canada
and for vehicles with the cold climate option.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
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