engine CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

When you open the hood on the 6.0L V8 TrailBlazer SS engine, here is what you will see:
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A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-32.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-24.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Under Engine Cover). See
“When to Add Engine Oil” underEngine Oil
on page 5-17.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
F. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-25.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-30.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND). See
Jump Starting on page 5-44.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-38.J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-40.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-111.
L. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-43.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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 handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. 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.
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When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is below the L mark for the L6 engine or the
cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick for the
V8 engine, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-121.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area (F) that shows the proper
operating range for the L6 engine or above the
cross-hatched area for the V8 engine, the engine
could be damaged.
L6 Engine
V8 Engine
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SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you are through.
6.0L V8 (VIN Code H) Engine Only
Remove the engine cover to access the engine oil
ll cap:
1. Remove the screw in the center of the cover.
2. Remove the cover from the stud on the driver side.
3. Pull the cover up and off the bracket.
4. Reverse the steps to reinstall.
Except 6.0L V8 (VIN
Code H) Engine
6.0L V8 (VIN Code H)
Engine
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Except Vehicles with 6.0L V8 (VIN Code H)
Engine
Look for three things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting
GM Standard GM6094M. Look for and use only
an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Look for this information on the oil container, and
use only those oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting GM
Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil
can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
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If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide easier
cold starting and better protection for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
For 6.0L V8 (VIN Code H) Engine Vehicles
Only
Look for three things:
GM4718M
Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard
may be identied as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM standard. Look for and
use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.
Notice:If you use oils that do not have the
GM4718M Standard designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
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Look for this on the oil container, and use only those oils
that are identied as meeting GM Standard GM4718M
and have the starburst symbol on the front of the oil
container.
Your vehicle’s engine is lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
®synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain engine
oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M may not be
available. You can add substitute oil designated
SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all temperatures.
Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard GM4718M
should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are all
you need for good performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A change engine oil light will come on, and, if your vehicle
has a Driver Information Center (DIC), a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message will come on. See the oil as soon
as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system might not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at this
time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained people who will perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also important to check
the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last
oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change the oil prior to a change engine oil light
or CHANGE ENGINE OIL message being turned on,
reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN with the
engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within ve seconds.
The change engine oil light will ash while the
system is resetting.
3. When the light stops ashing, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF.
If the light/message comes back on when you start the
vehicle, the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not 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 dispose of 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 threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never 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 used oil, ask your dealer/retailer, a
service station, or a local recycling center for help.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you are
driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a new lter is
required.
To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter, do the
following:
1. Remove the screws on the engine air cleaner/lter
and lift off the cover.
2. Remove the air cleaner/lter from the housing. Care
should be taken to dislodge as little dirt as possible.
3. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
4. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws. 4.2L L6 Engine shown,
5.3L and 6.0L V8
Engines similar
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{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ames if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer 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 uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of the
uid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
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