oil CHEVROLET TRACKER 1994 User Guide

worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
What about gasoline
with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE
is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBE is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol
is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that
is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than S% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it.
It can corrode metal parts
in your fuel
system and also damage plastic and
rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty. And
even
at 5% or less, there must be
“cosolvents” and corrosion prevent-
ers
in this fuel to help avoid these
problems.
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.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country
outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel
may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded
gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well
or at all. With continuous use, spark plugs
can get fouled, the exhaust system can
corrode, and your engine oil can
deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen
sensor
will be damaged. All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact a major oil company
that
does business in the country where you’ll
be driving.
You can also write us
at the following
address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Corporation
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Service and Appearance Care
6% CAUTION:
When you open the hood, you’ll see on
the 8-valve engine:
1. Battery
2. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3. Oil Fill Cap
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Air Cleaner
6. Engine Coolant Reservoir
(if equipped)
7. Power Steering Reservoir
8. Radiator Pressure Cap
9. Electric Engine Fan
IO. Engine Oi I Dipstick
11. Windshield Washer Rescrvoir
12. Main Fuse Box
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a fire. These include
liquids like gasoline, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and pXastic OT rubber.
You or others could be burned. Be
careful not to drop or spill things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on.
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When you open the hood, you’ll see on
the 16-valve engine:
1. Battery
2. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3. Oil Fill Cap
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Air Cleaner
6. Engine Coolant Reservoir (if equipped)
7. Power Steering Reservoir
8. Radiator Pressure Cap
9. Electric Engine Fan
IO. Engine Oil Dipstick
11. Windshield Washer Reservoir
12. Main Fuse Box
A CAUTION:
Things that bm can get on hot engiae
parts and start a fxe. These include
liquids like gasoline, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield
washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You
or others could be burned. Be
careful not to drop or spill things that
will bum onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on.
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Service and Appearance Care
rhen lift the hood to relieve pressure on
he hood prop. Remove the hood prop
rom the slot
in the hood and return the
Jrop
to its retainer. Then just let the hood
[own and close
it firmly.
. .162
Engine Oil
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.
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 lower.
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X-Valve Engine
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark,
you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must
use
the right kind. This section explains
what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and
Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Donl add too tnuch oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range,
your engine
could be damaged.
IO-Valve Engine
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
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the
proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “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.
You should look for this on the front of
the oil container, and use o& oils that
display this new symbol.
You should also use the proper viscosity
oil for your vehicle, as shown in the
following chart:
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Service and Appearance Care
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
-80 -27

SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
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).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRAOE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED.
As shown in the chart, SAE SW-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE IOW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F
(-1 8°C) or above. These numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such
as SAE IOW-40 or SAE 2OW-SO.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container,
you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
Ski or SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil
container, either
by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such
as
“SHKD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SGKD,”
etc. These letters show American
Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality.
SAE SW-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container
will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in
1 doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on most
Zontainers.
If you cannot find oils with the
“starburst” symbol, you should
look for
lils with the doughnut shaped symbol,
;.ontaining the three things noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either
the “starburst” symbol or
an API SH
or SG designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered
by your
warranty.
3M Goodwrench” oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets
all the requirements
[or your vehicle.
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Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Geo
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).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than 10 miles (1 6 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as
in door-to-door delivery, or
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or
3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change oil and
filter every
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or
7.5 months - whichever comes first.
off-road.
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 (-I 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 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-tlowing 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.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
detertnine when to replace the
air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services“
ir
the Index.
A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner off can cause you or others to
be burned. The air cleaner not only.
cleans the air,
it stops flame if the
engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and
the engine backfires, you could be
burned. Don’t drive with it
off, and
be careful working
on the engine
with the
air cleaner off.
165.
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I A utomatic Transmission FIuid
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 Geo 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 tluid 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 tluid. Wait
at least 30 minutes before checking
the transmission fluid level
if you have
been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot
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 IS
miles (24 km) when outside temperatures
are above 50°F
( 10°C). If it’s colder than
50°F (IOOC), drive the vehicle in “D”
(Third Gear) 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.
90°F (32°C).
weather. 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.
To check the fluid hot or cold
0 Park your vehicle on a level place.
0 With the parking brake applied, place
0 With your foot on the brake pedal,
Keep the
engine running.
the shift lever
in “P’ (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in “P” (Park).
minutes or more.
0 Let the engine run at idle for three
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Service and Appearance Care
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. 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.
. . .I68
~
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the “COLD’ area for a
cold check or
in the “HOT” area or
cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back
in all
the way.
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.
[f 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@-III
or
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with that
label are made especially for
your
automatic transmission. Dama e caused
by fluid other than DEXRON
8 -m or
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under “How to
Check.”
obtained, push
the dipstick back in
all the way.
When the correct fluid level is
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your transmission 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 Geo dealership Service
Department.
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~~
~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ Service and Appearance Care
Four- Wheel Drive
Most
lubricant checks in this section also
apply to four-wheel-drive vehicles.
However, they have
two additional
systems that need lubricatiog.
Transfer Case
When to Check qnd 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. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lybricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Front Axle
When
to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to a
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and
“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 Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to
-20°F (-29”C), or -34°F (-37°C)
in
Canada and for vehicles with the cold
climate option.
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
(125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they
should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
6038-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts.
You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to
“GM Specification
6038-M”
with a complete coolant flush
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