engine oil CHEVROLET TRACKER 1998 1.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical i\
nformation about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
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6-34 Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
Engine Coolant
Radiator Pressure Cap
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement 6-40
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6-63 Tires
Appearance Care Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Outside
of the Windshield,
Backglass and Wiper Blades
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Special Care for Canvas Top and
Plastic Windows
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
(If Equipped)
Cleaning Tires
Finish Damage
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use
of improper fuel 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 Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline
or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from gasoline.
6-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Things Under the Hood
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan. Don’t reach through the
grille
to release the underhood lever.
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 plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
To open the hood, first pull the release handle inside the
glove
box.
6-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you open the hood, you’ll see the following:
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Main Fuse
Box
D. Battery E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Automatic Transmission
Dipstick
(If Equipped)
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap
H. Power Steering Fluid
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Air Cleaner
Reservoir
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop to its retainer. Then let the hood down
and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light
on the instrument
panel comes on,
it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see “Engine Oil Pressure Light”
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
It’s
a good idea to check your engine oil 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. The engine
oil dipstick is
a yellow ring handle and
is located near the front
of
the engine compartment
toward the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking 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 down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the L (low) mark, then you’ll
need to add at least one quart
of oil. But you must use
the right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and
Specifications” in the Index.
I NOTICE: I
I Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so I:
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is located in the rear of the
engine compartment.
Be sure to
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.
6-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified
by looking for the "Starburst" symbol.
This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own
oil, be sure you use oil that
has the Starburst symbol
on the front of the oil
container.
If you have your
oil changed for you, be sure
the oil put into
your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
I RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTT 6RADE ENGINE OILS
I FOR BEST FUEL Ennmma" Y AND COLD ST'"-"^ ^"'"1 THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY 6.,,, -11 FOR THE EXP----- .-.... -.AMRE RANGE.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
HOT
WEATHER
'TI
COLD
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
I1 SAE I low-30
PREFERRED above 0°F (-18%)
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-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 20W-50.
I NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls
below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an
SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both
will provide easier cold starting and better protection for your engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready
to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as
frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
You frequently tow
a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. 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
occurs first.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 7.5 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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.
Air Cleaner
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
CAUTION: (Continued)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Fluid
3. Pull out the filter and replace it.
4. Replace the cover and the screws.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 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 OF (32 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 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 fluid and filter
every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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