engine oil GMC SONOMA 2001 User Guide

6-
6-1
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.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel (Gasoline)
6
-5 Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol)
6
-7 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-7 Filling Your Tank
6
-9 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-10 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-13 Engine Oil
6
-18 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-23 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-24 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-25 Rear Axle
6
-26 Four-Wheel Drive
6
-27 Engine Coolant
6
-31 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-31 Power Steering Fluid6
-32 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-33 Brakes
6
-37 Battery
6
-38 Bulb Replacement
6
-44 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-46 Tires
6
-55 Appearance Care
6
-55 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Care of Safety Belts
6
-58 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-62 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials Chart
6
-63 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-63 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-64 Electrical System
6
-69 Replacement Bulbs
6
-70 Capacities and Specifications
6
-72 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-10
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like 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.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the handle located inside the
vehicle on the lower left
side of the instrument panel.Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
Lift the hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and
put the hood prop into the slot in the hood.

6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the ªVORTECº 2200 L4 engine, you'll see:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap and DipstickE. Power Steering Reservoir
F. Brake Master Cylinder
G. Engine Air Cleaner/FilterH. Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-12
When you open the hood on the ªVORTECº 4300 V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Engine Oil FillE. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
F. Power Steering Reservoir
G. Brake Master Cylinder
H. Engine Air Cleaner/FilterI. Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
J. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-13
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 pull the hood down firmly to close. It will latch
when dropped from 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
without pressing on the hood.
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 on
the ªVORTECº 2200 L4
engine is under the fill cap.
The engine oil
dipstick handle on the
ªVORTECº 4300 V6
engine is a yellow ring.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.

6-14
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.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 ªCapacities and Specificationsº
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.

6-15 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 change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that 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 following chart:

6-16
As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is best for
your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's
going to be 0
F (
-18
C) or above. These numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
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 where the temperature falls
below
-20F (-29C), consider using 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.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:

Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 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).

Your vehicle has a 2200 L4 (Code 5) flexible fuel
engine and you have used E
-85 ethanol fuel.

You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off
-road frequently.

You frequently tow a trailer.

The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.

6-17
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 and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months
-- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
-- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
Remote Oil Filter (Four
-Wheel Drive)
The access door for the
remote oil filter is in the
steering linkage shield
assembly located under the
radiator support. Turn the
screw to unlock or lock
the door. Make sure if
you open the door, it is
securely closed when you
are finished.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that 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 throw
away 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 real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing
oil from the filter before disposal. Don't ever 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.

6-19
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the engine air cleaner/filter. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
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 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/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter 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/filter 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 90F (32C) 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 ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.