oil temperature CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1996 Owners Manual

These symbols are on some of your controls:
I
Windshield
Wiper Windshield
Washer
Rear Wlndow Washer
I
Rear Window
Defroster
w
I
Windshield
Defroster
U
Ventilating Fan
These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:
I -k 4cccy
Engine Coolant
Temperature
BRAKE
I Brake
I I
Battery Charging
System
ANTI-
I LOCK
I I 4 Wheel
Anti-Lock
Fuel
Parking Brake Release
I\J
Rear Window
Wiper
Engine Oil
Pressure
SHIFT
Shift Light
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NOTICE:
If you’re not in an idling vehicle and the engine overheats, you
wouldn’t be there to see the coolant temperature gage. This
could damage your vehicle. Don’t let your engine run when
you’re not in your vehicle.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel Engine)
The following tips will help you get good starting in cold weather.
Use
SAE 1OW-30 oil when the outside temperature drops below freezing.
When the outside temperature drops below
0” F (- 18 O C), use your engine
coolant heater.
If you park your vehicle
in a garage, you shouldn’t need to use the coolant
heater until the garage temperature goes below
0°F (-1 8OC), no matter how
cold it is outside.
To use the engine coolant heater, first turn off the engine. Then open the
hood, unwrap the electrical cord and plug
it in. It uses normal house voltage
(110 volts), but:
I NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the cord in
the manner it was, to help keep it away from moving engine
parts.
If you don’t, it could be torn and damaged.
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NOTICE:
If’ you keep driving your vehicle with this light on, after a whi\
le
the emission controls won’t work as well, your
fuel economy
won’t be as
good, and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs not covered by your warranty\
.
Check Gages Light
This orange light will come on briefly when you are starting the engine. If
the light comes on and stays on while you are driving, it could indicate a
problem
with your vehicle. It could be a problem with your oil pressure,
coolant temperature, or some other problem. Check your various gages to
see
if they are in the warning zones. If they are, have your vehicle serviced
right away.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light
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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 dangerously low oil
level or other problem causing
low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as
possible.
A CAUTION:
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your
engine can become
so hot that it catches fire. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be
costly and is not covered
by your warranty.
2-%O
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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra wiring (included in
the optional trailering package). The green arrows
on your instrument panel
will flash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will
also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash
for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
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 kdh) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
If
you have an automatic transmission you should use DRIVE (3) (or, as
you need to, a lower gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
DRIVE (3) when towing a trailer will minimize heat build-up and extend
the life
of your transmission.
If
you have a manual transmission and you are towing a trailer, it’s better
not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just drive in FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need
to,
a lower gear).
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 Hills
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 in gear
for a manual transmission.
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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:
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.
What Fuel to Use
For best results, use Number 2-D diesel fuel year-round (above and below
freezing conditions) as
oil companies blend Number 2-D fuel to address
climate differences. Number 1-D diesel fuel may be used
in very cold
temperatures (when it stays below
0°F or -1 8°C); however, it will produce
a power and fuel economy
loss. The use of Number 1-D diesel fuel in warm
or hot climates may result in stalling, poor starting when the engine
is hot
and may damage the fuel injection system.
Diesel fuel may foam when you fill your tank. This can cause the automatic
pump nozzle
to shut off, even though your tank isn’t full. If this happens,
just wait for the foaming
to stop and then continue to fill your tank.
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Canadian Fuels
Diesel-powered trucks are now equipped with emission control systems that
require the use of diesel fuel with low-sulfur
(.05% by weight) content.
Both low- and higher-sulfur fuels will be available
in Canada. Only
low-sulfur diesel fuels are available
in the United States. It is important that
diesel-powered trucks are refueled with low-sulfur fuel. Use of fuels with
higher-sulfur content will affect the function
of the emission components
and may cause reduced performance, excessive smoke and unpleasant odor.
Cold Weather Operation
Follow the instructions listed previously under the heading “What Fuel to
Use
.”
If you’re driving in very cold temperatures and can’t get a “winterized”
Number
2-D that has been adapted to cold weather or a Number 1-D, you
can use one gallon of kerosene for every two gallons of diesel fuel. Once
you add the kerosene, run your engine for several minutes
so the fuels will
mix. Add kerosene only when
the temperature fills below 0°F (-I 8”C),
because the fuel economy of kerosene isn’t as good as that of diesel fuel.
I NOTICE:
Never use home heating oil or gasoline in your diesel engine.
They can cause engine damage.
In cold weather, your fuel filter may become clogged (waxed). To unclog it,
warm the filter to between 32°F and 50°F (0°C to 10°C). You won’t need
to replace it.
Water in Fuel
Sometimes, water can be pumped into your fuel tank along with your diesel
fuel. This can happen if a service station doesn’t regularly inspect and clean
its fuel tanks, or if it gets contaminated fuel from its suppliers.
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You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle, as shown in
the following chart:
LIGHT DUTY EMISSIONS - GASOLINE ENGINES
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE
011 FOR THE EXPECTEO TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
7
'F
t 100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
7
c
+38
- +27
- +16
- +4
--7
--18
WEATHER
-- ....-
SAE 5W-30
PREFERRED
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
-
SAE 1OW-30
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 1 OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (- 1 SOC) or above. These
numbers on
an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
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HEAVY DUTY EMISSIONS - GASOLINE ENGINES
- RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL
VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
- ~~
HOT
WEATHER
/ v
"F
+lo0 c - +38
t8Q - - +27
+60 - +16
+4Q - - +4
+20 ---7
0 ---18
-
-
SAE 1OW-30
PREFERRED
SAE 5W-30
cola
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE IOW-30 is best for your vehicle. nowever, you
can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going to be colder than 60°F (I 6°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.
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NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute
Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol. Failure \
to
use the proper oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
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 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly
important when outside temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop and
go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or off-road frequently.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle.
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 comes
first.
Light Duty Emissions:
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles (1 2 500
km) or 12 months - whichever comes first.
Heavy Duty Emissions:
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every 6,000 miles (10 000
km) or 12 months - whichever comes first.
Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather, 0°F (- 18OC) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
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