check oil CHEVROLET VENTURE 1998 Owners Manual

This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It
will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Pressure Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with an oil pressure warning
light. Your oil pressure light
lets you know when you
may have a problem with
your engine
oil pressure.
When the engine is running and this light comes on, the
engine oil level may be too low. There may
also be
another problem causing low oil pressure. 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:
r
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
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Low Oil Level Light
r I If this light comes on, it
means your engine is low
on oil.
LWEL
You need to check the oil level right away. Have your
vehicle serviced immediately.
Door Ajar Light
- This light will come on if
any of the doors or the
liftgate are not completely
closed and the ignition is
turned
to RUN or START.
Power Sliding Door Warning Light
1 ' This light will come on if
the power sliding door is
not completely closed and
the ignition is turned
to
RUN or START. i ill
If you shift the transaxle out of PARK (P) while the
power sliding door is open
or in the process of closing,
and the power sliding door override feature is disabled,
a buzzer will sound. This is a warning that the power
sliding door is not completely closed.
1 A C. U [ON:
If you shift the transaxle out of PARK (P) and
accelerate before the power sliding door latches
closed, the door may reverse to the open position.
A child or others could fall out of the vehicle and
be injured. Always make sure the power sliding door
is closed and latched before you drive away.
I
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The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you
are going
slower than
you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must
start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go.
If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Chevrolet dealerships all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to help if
you need it. Here
are some things you can check before a trip:
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should
you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
@ Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until thc .ailer
is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have son --- pick up and store the chocks.
’
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 transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belts, cooling system and 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.
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NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If
they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant
level isn’t
at or above the FULL COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and
DEX-COOL’ engine coolant at the coolant recovery
tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information.)
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get
too hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat warning.
Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a
50/50 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
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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 information about your
vehicle, and
a part devoted to its appearance care.
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6-2 1
6-24
6-25
6-26
6-30
6-3
1
6-39 6-2
Service
6-3 Fuel
6-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6-
8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6-11 Engine Oil
6-15 Air Cleaner
6-16 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Radiator Pressure Cap
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement 6-40
6-48
6-48
6-52
6-54
6-54
6-55
6-56
6-57
6-64
6-65
6-65
6-66
6-66
6-66 Tires
Appearance
Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Underbody Maintenance Chemical Paint Spotting
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Engine Specifications
Vehicle Dimensions
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
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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
When the fuel door is opened on a vehicle with dual
sliding doors, the driver’s side sliding door will only
open partway.
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Checking Things Under the Hood
I A CAUTION: I
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.
A CAUTION:
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.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the hood release handle
inside
the vehicle.
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. 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 just
let the hood down and close it firmly.
Underhood Lamp (If Equipped)
Your underhood lamp will go on when you open
the hood.
Engine Oil
If the LEVEL light on
the instrument panel comes on, it means you need
to
level right away.
hhhhhh
LWEL
check your engine oil
For more information, see “LOW Oil Level 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 located at the front of the
engine compartment, near the center. The dipstick
handle has a bright, yellow loop design for easy
identification.
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.
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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 ADD 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.
NOTICE: I
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating
range, your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is
located just behind the
engine oil dipstick.
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.
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