check oil GMC SONOMA 2004 User Guide

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-40for more
information.
B. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-23for more information.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for
more information.
D. Engine Oil Fill. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for
more information.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-19for more
information.
F. Power Steering Reservoir. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-35for more information.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 5-37for more information.
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-95for more
information.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-36for more information.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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 handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
5-13

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 will need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specications on page 5-101.
Notice:Do not 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.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
•GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for and use
only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
5-14

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stop ame if the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be careful
working on the engine with the air cleaner/
lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change the
Automatic Transmission Fluid
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).
SeePart A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
5-19

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and the proper coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not 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 do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
5-24

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid
reservoir. The fluid level
should be above MIN. If it
is not, have your brake
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-32.Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of
uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-86.
5-38

Capacities and Specications
Please refer toPart E: Maintenance Record on page 6-36in the index for more information. See refrigerant change
label under the hood for charge capacity information and requirements.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Capacity
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a1.8 lbs 0.79 kg
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill 5.0 quarts 4.7 L
Cooling System 13.8 quarts 13.1 L
Differential Fluid
Rear Axle
Front Axle4.0 pints
2.6 pints1.9 L4
1.2 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.5 quarts 4.3 L
Fuel Tank 17.5 gallons 67.4 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. After refill, the levelmustbe checked.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level or as recommended in this
manual. SeePart E: Maintenance Record on page 6-36
5-101

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended fluids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure
to follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper
fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down
slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
first). Chassis Lubrication (or 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Drive Axle Service. Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection. Automatic Transmission Service
(severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Fuel Filter
Replacement. Engine Air Cleaner Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
first). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-25
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-30.
6-6

Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
#Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines,
universal joints, constant velocity joint and brake
pedal springs.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-31.
**Drive axle service. See Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-32 for proper lubricant
to use:
•Check uid level and add uid as needed. If driving
in dusty areas or when towing a trailer, drain uid
and rell every 15,000 miles (25 000 km).
•If your vehicle has a locking differential, drain uid
and rell at rst engine oil change.
•More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road use.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See Footnote **.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-7

9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).(See footnote #.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace
the filter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect filter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
❑Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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 uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
6-8