oil level HUMMER H3 2007 Owners Manual

FUEL CAP
This message displays if the vehicle’s fuel cap is
either off or loose. Pull over as soon as possible
and check to see if the fuel cap is secure. You may
also see the check engine light on the instrument
panel cluster. If the check engine light does
come on when the fuel cap was loose, it may take
a few driving trips before the light turns off. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 186for more
information if the light still remains on. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
LOW FUEL
This message displays if the level of fuel in the
vehicle is low. Also check the fuel gage. See
Fuel Gage on page 191for more information.
Rell the fuel tank as soon as possible.
LOW TIRE
This message displays if a low tire pressure is
detected in any of the vehicle’s tires. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display. The
message appears at each ignition cycle until the
tires are inated to the correct ination pressure.
SeeTires on page 367andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 375for more information on
tires and the correct ination pressures.
OIL
This message displays when the oil pressure is
low. SeeOil Pressure Light on page 189and
Engine Oil on page 323for more information.
PARK BRK (Brake)
This message displays when the parking brake
is set. SeeParking Brake on page 116and
Brake System Warning Light on page 182for
more information. The message clears from the
display after the parking brake is released or
by pressing and releasing the reset stem.
198

Once you are moving on the freeway, make
certain you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to
the proper lane well in advance. If you miss
your exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop
and back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher speeds,
you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested.
If you must start when you are not fresh — such
as after a day’s work — do not plan to make
too many miles that rst part of the journey.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts
in GM dealerships all across North America. They
will be ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
278

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also ash,
telling other drivers you’re about to turn, change
lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can
tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.If you have a manual transmission and you
are towing a trailer, it is better not to use the
highest gear.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, consider the following: Engine coolant
will boil at a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If you turn your engine off immediately
after towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
your vehicle may show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level ground, with
the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off.
For manual transmissions, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied, for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If you do get the overheat warning,
seeEngine Overheating on page 338.
305

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 346.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 335.
C. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 328.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 345.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If
Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 329.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 323.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System
on page 340.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See
Jump Starting on page 352.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 323.
J. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 352.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 347.L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 351.
N. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 334.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 322
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. 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.
2. 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.
323

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area (L),
you will need to add at least one quart/liter 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 422.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 322for the
location of the engine
oil ll 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.
324

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
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 the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE OIL message will
come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 196. Change your oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if you are driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system may not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained people
who will perform this work using genuine GM
parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
326

{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 ames 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 Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 432, and
be sure to use the transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 440.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult,
you may choose to have this done at the
dealership service department.
329

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 440.
Add uid only after checking the transmission
uid while it is hot. A cold check is used only
as a reference. If the uid level is low, add only
enough of the proper uid to bring the level up to
the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take
much uid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L).
Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 440.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then ip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the
engine oil is changed. However, the uid in your
manual transmission does not 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 uid can
damage your transmission. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check
your transmission uid.
Check the uid 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
ngers on the transmission case.
332

How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper uid should be added if the level does
not reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it
is in place in the reservoir. See the instructions on
the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 338.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
335

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Engine Cooling Fan
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.When the engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at least up to the FULL COLD mark. If it is
not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
340