Engine Oil Caterpillar Diesel Engine
See the Caterpillar® Operation & Maintenance Manual for information on oil quality and viscosities as well as the temperature range chart.
Engine Oil Gasoline Engine
If the low oil light appears on the instrument cluster, check the engine oil level right away.
For more information, see Low Oil Level Light . You should check the engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
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 is located in the engine compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle.
- 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.
- 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 below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Specifications .
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.
The engine oil fill cap is located near the engine oil dipstick in the engine compartment, on the driver's side of the vehicle.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range in the cross-hatched area. Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
| • | GM6094M |
| Use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M. |
| • | SAE 5W-30 |
| SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature falls below -20°F (-29°C), use either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide easier cold starting and better protection for the engine at extremely low temperatures. These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50. |
| • | American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol |
Oils meeting these requirements should have the starburst symbol on the container. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Notice: Use only engine oil identified as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil can result in engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the API service symbol are all you need for good performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil DURAMAX Diesel Engine
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each fuel fill.
The engine oil dipstick is located in the engine compartment on the driver side of the vehicle.
In order to get an accurate reading, the engine should be at normal operating temperature, so that the oil is warm, and the vehicle must be on level ground.
- If the engine is at normal operating temperature and the oil is warm, turn off the engine and allow at least five minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
- Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a cloth, then push it back in all the way.
- Remove the dipstick again, keeping the tip down, and check the oil level.
If the engine has not been run long enough to bring it up to normal operating temperature and the oil is cool, turn off the engine and allow 30 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, add at least two quarts/liters of the recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Specifications.
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.
Add oil at the engine oil fill cap in the engine compartment. Install and fully tighten the fill cap when through.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
| • | CJ-4 |
| Oils designated as API CJ-4 are required for the vehicle. The CJ-4 designation can appear either alone or in combination with other American Petroleum Institute (API) designations, such as API CJ-4/SL. These letters show API levels of quality. |
| • | SAE 15W-40 |
| SAE 15W-40 is best for the vehicle. When it is very cold, below 0°F (-18°C), use SAE 5W-40 to improve cold starting. These numbers on the oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 10W-30, SAE 10W-40, or SAE 20W-50. |
| • | American Petroleum Institute (API) symbol |
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil containers to help you select the correct oil. It means that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute.
| • | Look for this on the oil container, and use only those oils that display this logo. |
Notice: Use only engine oils that have the designation CJ-4 for the diesel engine. Failure to use the recommended oil can result in engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the API service symbol are all you need for good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles Without the Engine Oil Life System)
Change the engine oil and filter every 15,000 miles (24 000 km), or every 12 months, or every 750 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs first. See Scheduled Maintenance.
Engine Oil Isuzu Diesel Engine
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each fuel fill.
The engine oil dipstick is located in the engine compartment on the driver side of the vehicle.
In order to get an accurate reading, the engine should be at normal operating temperature, so that the oil is warm, and the vehicle must be on level ground.
- If the engine is at normal operating temperature and the oil is warm, turn off the engine and allow at least five minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
- Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a cloth, then push it back in all the way.
- Remove the dipstick again, keeping the tip down, and check the oil level.
If the engine has not been run long enough to bring it up to normal operating temperature and the oil is cool, turn off the engine and allow 30 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
When to Add Engine Oil
Notice: Do not add too much oil. Keep the oil level between the ADD (C) and FULL (B) marks on the dipstick. Under normal engine operation, the engine oil level can increase above the FULL (B) mark as a result of DPF regeneration. A small increase in the oil level is normal. If the engine has so much oil that the oil level reaches the wider portion (A) on the dipstick, the engine oil must be changed as soon as possible or the engine could be damaged.
If the oil is below the ADD mark (C) on the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended oil.
This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Specifications.
Add oil at the engine oil fill cap in the engine compartment. Install and fully tighten the fill cap when through.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
| • | CJ-4 |
| Oils designated as API CJ-4 are required for the vehicle. The CJ-4 designation can appear either alone or in combination with other American Petroleum Institute (API) designations, such as API CJ-4/SL. These letters show API levels of quality. |
| • | SAE 10W-40 or SAE 15W-40 |
| SAE 10W-40 or SAE 15W-40 is best for the vehicle. When it is very cold, below 0°F (-18°C), use SAE 5W-40 to improve cold starting. These numbers on the oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 10W-30 or SAE 20W-50. |
| • | American Petroleum Institute (API) symbol |
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil containers to help you select the correct oil. It means that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute.
| • | Look for this on the oil container, and use only those oils that display this logo. |
Notice: Use only engine oils that have the designation CJ-4 for the diesel engine. Failure to use the recommended oil can result in engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the API service symbol are all you need for good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles Without the Engine Oil Life System)
Change the engine oil and filter every 15,000 miles (24 000 km), or every 12 months, or every 750 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle is used primarily for long trip, highway service, change the engine oil and filter every 18,000 miles (28 800 km), or every 12 months, or every 750 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs first. See Scheduled Maintenance.
