transmission fluid CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1996 Owners Manual

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.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check
your mirrors and your instruments frequently.
and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area
on the highway
as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or
rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there,
here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. (See
“Off-Road Driving”
in the Index for information about driving off-road.)
0
0
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. These parts can work
hard on mountain roads.
Know
how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this:
let your engine
do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear
when
you go down a steep or long hill.
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are especially
important
in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system, an\
d brake
adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see
that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Lighting Systems Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
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To remove the air cleaner filter on a gasoline engine or a 6.5 liter naturally
aspirated diesel engine, 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 engine,
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 Nuid
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 dealer 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 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.
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C j,
At high speed for quite a while.
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 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (1 0°C).
If it's colder than 50°F (10"C), drive
the vehicle in DRIVE (D) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the
hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle
has been sitting for eight hours
or more with the engine off and is used only
as
a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside
temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or more. If it's colder than 50°F (IO'C), you
may have to idle
the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a
cold check,
you must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will
give you
a more accurate reading of the fluid level.
lo check the fluid hot or cold
0 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.
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How 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.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid HOT.
(A COLD check
is used
only as a reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the
proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a
hot check. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a
int. Don 7 overfill. We recommend
you
use only fluid labeled DEXRON -111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid
other than DEXRON@-111
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
8
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 your
GM dealer Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading.
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.
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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Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
Automatic Transmission Service
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
Crankcase Depression Regulator Valve (CDRV) System Inspection
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Inspection
(if equipped)
Exhaust Pressure Regulator Valve Inspection
Maintenance Schedule I - Gasoline Engines With
Light Duty Emissions
The services shown in this schedule up to 60,000 miles (100 000 km) should
be performed after
60,000 miles (100 000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
The California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to
perform this maintenance item will
not nullify the emission warranty or
limit recall liability prior
to the completion of vehicle useful life. We,
however, urge that all recommended maintenance services be performed at
the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
** Drive axle service:
0 Locking Differential - Drain fluid and refill at first engine oil change.
At subsequent oil changes, check fluid level and add fluid as needed. If
driving
in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential - Check fluid level and add fluid as needed at
every
oil change. If driving in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain
fluid and refill every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for heavy-duty or off-road
use.
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Maintenance Schedule I - Gasoline Engines With
Light Duty Emissions
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the front suspension, king pin bushings, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, rear driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines,
brake pedal springs and clutch pedal springs. Ball joints and king pin
bushings should not be lubricated unless their temperature
is 10" F
(-1 2" C), or higher. When weather is cold, let the ball joints and king
pin bushings warm up before lubrication or
they could be damaged.
Perform each of the listed lubrication service items at this mileage
interval (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
I DATE I ACTUALMILEAGE I SERVICED BY: I
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An EInission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the front suspension, king pin bushings, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, rear driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines,
brake pedal springs and clutch pedal springs. Ball joints and king pin
bushings should not be lubricated unless their temperature is
10" F
(-12" C), or higher. When weather is cold, let the ball joints and king
pin bushings warm up before lubrication or they could be damaged.
Perform each
of the listed lubrication service items at this mileage
interval (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
(Continued)
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Maintenance Schedule I - Gasoline Engines With
Light Duty Emissions
(Continued)
0 Check readfront axle tluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. **
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation’’ in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information.
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the front suspension, king pin bushings, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, rear driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines,
brake pedal springs and clutch pedal springs.
Ball joints and king pin
bushings should
not be lubricated unless their temperature is IO” F
(-1 2” C), or higher. When weather is cold, let the ball joints and king
pin bushings warm
up before lubrication or they could be damaged.
Perform each
of the listed lubrication service items at this mileage
interval (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add tluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
a
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I Maintenance Schedule I - Gasoline Engines With I
I Light Duty Emissions
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the front suspension, king pin bushings, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, rear driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines,
brake pedal springs and clutch pedal springs. Ball joints and king pin
bushings should not be lubricated unless their temperature is
10" F
(-12" C), or higher. When weather is cold, let the ball joints and king
pin bushings warm
up before lubrication or they could be damaged.
Perform each of
the listed lubrication service items at this mileage
interval (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
17 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the front suspension, king pin bushings, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, rear driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines,
brake pedal springs and clutch pedal springs. Ball joints and king pin
bushings should
not be lubricated unless their temperature is 10" F
(-1 2" C), or higher. When weather is cold, let the ball joints and king
pin bushings warm up before lubrication or
they could be damaged.
Perform each of the listed lubrication service items at this mileage
interval (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace'
filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
(Continued)
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Maintenance Schedule I - Gasoline Engines With
Light Duty Emissions
(Continued)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
:w:
0 For 2-Wheel Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
SERVICED BY: L
-
18,000 Mi/es (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the front suspension, king pin bushings, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, rear driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines,
brake pedal springs and clutch pedal springs. Ball joints and king pin
bushings
should not be lubricated unless their temperature is 10” F
(-12” C), or higher. When weather is cold, let the ball joints and king
pin bushings warm up before lubrication or they could be damaged.
Perform each
of the listed lubrication service items at this mileage
interval (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
I
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