checking oil GMC SIERRA 1996 Owners Manual

Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfxes as soon
as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When you put the cap back
on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been
left off or improperly installed. This would
allow
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
h
I ! CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
engine fan under the hood can start up and
hjure you even when the engine
is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline or
diesel fuel, 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.
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Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine Oil
(Diesel Engine)” in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
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. 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.
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.
The engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring handle and is
located on the passenger side
of the engine.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check a1 C’ -ge
A good time to check your auromarlc transmission fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter 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.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 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, the
fluid and filter
do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’
in the Index.
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
i 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.
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).
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Engine ................................... 6.8. 6.10
Coolant
..................................... 6-26
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 12
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-42
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-62
Cooling System Capacity
....................... 6-76
Exhaust
..................................... 2-30
Fuse Blocks
............................ 6.69. 6.71
Identification
................................ 6-67
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-42
Overheating
................................. 5- 10
Running While Parked ......................... 2-30
Specifications
................................ 6-74
StartingYour
................................ 2-11
Underhood Fusemelay Center
................... 6-7 I
Engine Oil .................................... 6- 12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-15
Checking
................................... 6-12
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-65
Used
....................................... 6-16
Whentochange
.............................. 6-15
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-30
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-59
Fan Control. Climate Control System
............ 3.1. 3.2
Fender Marker Lamp Bulb Replacement
............. 6-42
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-16
Finish Care
.................................... 6-63 Finish Damage
................................. 6-64
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-21
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-76
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-48
FogLamps
.................................... 2-41
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Four-wheel Drive
......................... 2-21. 6-25
French Language Manual
11
FrontAxle .................................... 6-26
Front Axle Locking Feature
....................... 2-21
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
..... 6.40. 6.41
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-68
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Tankcapacity
............................... 6-76
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-69
Fusible Links
.................................. 6-69
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-62
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-65
Fuel
....................................... 2-68
Tachometer
.................................. 2-57
Voltmeter
................................... 2-60
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-46
GAWR
....................................... 4-42
Speedometer
................................. 2-57
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