check engine GMC ENVOY 1998 Owner's Manual

Checking Things Under the Hood Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
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 handle inside the vehicle
on the lower driver’s side of
the instrument panel. Lift
the hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and
put the hood prop into the slot in the hood.
You may
have
a lamp that comes on when you lift the hood.
6-8
ProCarManuals.com

Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop to its retainer.
Then just pull the hood down firmly
to close. It will
latch when dropped from 10 to12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
without pressing on the hood.
Engine Oil
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 oil
yellow dipstick is
a
ring.
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.
6-10
ProCarManuals.com

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 line, 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:
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.
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.
6-11
ProCarManuals.com

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.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
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°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
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
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’ in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your
GM 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 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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
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). See “Checking Transmission Fluid
Hot”
in the Index.
6-16
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and
then remains steady for 10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
Checking 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 (lO"C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you
1nust perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
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.
Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
1. The transmission
dipstick has a red
handle and
is located at
the rear of the engine
compartment.
Flip the
handle up and then pull
out the dipstick and
wipe
it with a clean rag
or paper towel.
6- 17
ProCarManuals.com

Front Axle
When to Check and 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 may need to add some lubricant. When
the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to
raise the level to
1/2 inch (12 mm) below the filler
plug hole.
When the differential
is at operating temperature
(warm), 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 lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants“
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL J engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life 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.
6-2 I
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
ADD, or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be up to
FULL HOT, or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the cwolarzt recovery tank.
6-23
ProCarManuals.com

Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is
a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top
of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be between the
ADD and FULL marks.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
to the proper range.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
6-25
ProCarManuals.com

Brakes
Brake Fluid
have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes won't work well, or won't
work at all.
So, it isn't a good idea to "top off' your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct
a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work
is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here.
It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are
only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down
to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are
put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason
is that fluid is
leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn
if' the engine
is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See "Periodic Maintenance
Inspections"
in the Index.
6-27
ProCarManuals.com