check oil GMC SIERRA 1997 User Guide

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.
The engine oil dipstick has
a yellow ring handle and is
located on the passenger’s side
of the engine.
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.
When to Add 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.
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter. See “Owner Checks and Services”
in
the Index.
Operating the engine with the
air cleaner off
can cause you OF 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.
I 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
50,000 miles
(83
000 km) if the vehicle’s CVWR 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, the
fluid and filter do
not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’
in the Index.
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Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid
in your manual
transmission doesn’t require changing.
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.
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.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
the
filler plug hole.
it
is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid as described
in the next steps.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL’ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
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
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With
plain water or the wrong
mix, 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 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty. Too much water in the mix 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.
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Fuel Tank Capacity (Approximate)
Type
Short Bed
Long Bed Standard Crew Cab
Chassis-Cab Side Tank
Chassis-Cab Rear Tank 3500
HD Models Side Tank
3500
HD Models Rear Tank
Cooling System Capacity (Approximate)
After refill, the level must be rechecked. See “Cooling
System” in the Index.
Engine
“VORTEC” 4300
“VORTEC”
5000
“VORTEC” 5700
“VORTEC” 7400
“VORTEC”
7400
w/3500 HD
VIN
W
M
R
J
J
Quantity
13 quarts (12.3 L)
17.5 quarts (16.6 L)
17.5 quarts (16.6 L)
25 quarts (23.5 L)
28.5 quarts (27 L)
Crankcase Capacity (Approximate)
After refill, the level must be rechecked. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
Engine
“VORTEC” 4300
“VORTEC”
5000
“VORTEC” 5700”
“VORTEC” 7400*
VIN
W
M
R
J
Quantity with Filter?
5 quarts (4.8 L)
5 quarts (4.8 L)
7 quarts (6.5 L)
4.5 quarts (4.3
L)
?Oil
filter should be changed at every oil change.
*Add one additional quart (.946
L) for C-3500 HD Models.
Quantity
26 gallons (98 L)
34 gallons (128 L)
34 gallons (128 L)
22 gallons (83 L)
18 gallons (68 L)
22 gallons (83 L)
18 gallons (68 L)
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the
air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant
is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your GM dealer.
See the refrigerant charge label under the hood for
information regarding refrigerant capacity.
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Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
** Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
0
e
0
0
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas
or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty
or off-road use.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring extreme
overloadtrailer towing conditions and high-speed (above
45 mph or 70 km/h) conditions for extended
periods of time must have the drive axle fluid changed every
30,000 miles (50 OOO km). See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in this section.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote **.)
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule =- Gasoline Engines I
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
**.)
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
**.)
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
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Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints
and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote **.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
**.)
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean
and repack the front wheel bearings (or at
each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
0 Vehicles With GVWR Above 8,500 lbs.
Only: Inspect shields and underhood
insulation for damage or looseness. Adjust
or replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission
Control Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in
the United States.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
** .)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
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Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
**.)
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:^
24,000 Miles (40 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints
and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote **.)
I7 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE (SERVICED BY:^
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