Engine Oil Gasoline Engine

If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see "Engine Oil" in the DURAMAX® Diesel Engine Supplement.

If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the instrument cluster, except vehicles that have the 4.3L engine, check the engine oil level right away.

For more information, see Driver Information Center (DIC) . You should check the engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.

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. See Engine Compartment Overview 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.

If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, you 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, 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.

See Engine Compartment Overview for 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.

Look for three things:

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).

Look for this information on the oil container, and use only those oils that are identified as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol on the front of the oil container.

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.

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 provide easier cold starting and better protection for the engine at extremely low temperatures.

Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard GM6094M are all you need for good performance and engine protection.

It is a good idea to check the engine oil level every time you get fuel.

The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the engine oil dipstick.

In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm, at normal operating temperature, and the vehicle must be on level ground.

1. Turn off the engine and give the oil at least five minutes to drain back into the oil pan. With a cool engine, allow 30 minutes. 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 a cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down.

If the oil is below the add mark (A) 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 Specification Charts .

Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the full mark (F) on the dipstick, the engine could be damaged.

See Engine Compartment Overview for 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.

Look for three things:

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.

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.

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.