GMC SAVANA 2003 Owner's Manual

4. Release the hood prop
from its retainer and
put the hood prop
into the slot in the
hood hinge on
the driver’s side.If your vehicle has an underhood lamp, it will
automatically come on and stay on until the
hood is closed.
Before closing the hood, be sure all of thefiller 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 let the hood down and close itfirmly.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you lift the hood, you’ll see these items:
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A. Battery
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
D. Transmission Fluid Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Power Steering Reservoir
J. Brake Master Cylinder
K. Windshield Washer Fluid
Engine Oil
Checking 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 engine oil dipstick has
a yellow handle and is
located near the center of
the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
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 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 engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-97.
Notice:Don’t add too much 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.
The engine oilfiller cap is
located between the
coolant recovery tank and
the engine air cleaner/filter.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
Be sure tofill 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 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 choose to perform
the engine oil change
service yourself, be sure
the oil you use 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.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.
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As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is the
only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle.
You should look for and use only oils which have the
API Starburst symbol and which are also identified
as SAE 5W-30. If you cannotfind such SAE 5W-30 oils,
you can use an SAE 10W-30 oil which has the API
Starburst symbol, if it’s going to be 0°F(−18°C)
or above. Do not use other viscosity grade oils, such as
SAE 10W-40 or SAE 20W-50 under any conditions.
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 of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F(−29°C),itis
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-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. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
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When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these are true for you, use the short
trip/city maintenance schedule:
•Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 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 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 andfilter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months—whichever
occursfirst.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil andfilter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months—whichever
occursfirst. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine
under highway conditions will cause engine oil to
break down slower.
How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL Light
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change your
engine oil andfilter based on vehicle use. Anytime your
oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate when
the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs where
you chang your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL light
being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL light, do the
following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
three times withinfive seconds.
3. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL lightflashes for
five seconds, the system is reset.
If the system does not reset, try the procedure once
again. If it still does not reset, see your dealer for
service.
SeeChange Engine Oil Light on page 3-37.
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What to Do with Used Oil
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 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
filter 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 your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter
and change indicator
(if equipped).
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with afilter change indicator
it will let you know when thefilter needs to be replaced.
When the change indicator turns black or is in the
red/orange change zone, change thefilter and reset the
indicator. Vehicles without a change indicator inspect the
air cleaner/filter every 15,000 miles (25 000 km) and
replace thefilter every 30,000 miles (50 000 km). If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect thefilter or
change indicator at each engine oil change.
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How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter, remove thefilter from
the vehicle and lightly shakefilter to release loose dust
and dirt. If thefilter remains caked with dirt, a new
filter is required.
To remove and reinstall thefilter and reset the indicator
(if equipped), do the following:
The engine air cleaner/filter is located near the center
of the engine compartment.
1. Unhook the retainer clips and remove the cover.2. Lift thefilter out of the engine air cleaner/filter
housing. Care should be taken to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
3. Clean the engine air cleaner/filter housing.
4. Install the new engine air cleaner/filter into the
engine air cleaner/filter housing. Make sure that
itfits properly into the housing.
5. Reinstall the cover and fasten the retaining clips.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stopflame 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/filter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging enginefire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/filter in place when you’re driving.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmissionfluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both thefluid andfilter every 50,000 miles
(83,000 km) if the vehicle’s GVWR is over 8,600 or 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 your vehicle’s GVWR is not over 8,600 and you do
not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change thefluid andfilter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
SeePart A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the 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 littlefluid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of thefluid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting afire.
Too littlefluid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmissionfluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmissionfluid level if you have been driving:
•When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
•At high speed for quite a while.
•In heavy traffic–especially in hot weather.
•While pulling a trailer.
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To get the right reading, thefluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°Fto200°F
(82°Cto93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C).Ifit’s colder than 50°F (10°C), drive the vehicle
in DRIVE (D) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A coldfluid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle forfive minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (10°C), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should thefluid
level be low during this cold check, youmustcheck the
fluid hot before addingfluid. Checking thefluid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of thefluid level.Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
•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.
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