GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DIESEL HARD START/COLD WEATHER SAE 30 WEIGHT OIL REPLACEMENT

A CONDITION OF HARD START IN COLD WEATHER CAN BE CAUSED BY SAE 30 WEIGHT OIL IN A DIESEL ENGINE. VEHICLES WITH V-8 DIESEL ENGINES BUILT PRIOR TO APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 15, 1982 AND VEHICLES WITH V-6 DIESELS BUILT PRIOR TO APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER 15, 1982 WILL HAVE ENGINES WITH SAE 30 WEIGHT OIL. DIESEL ENGINES PRODUCED AFTER THE ABOVE DATES WERE BUILT WITH SAE 10W 30 OIL.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.