GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: Vehicle Maintenance Schedule
Table 2: Additional Required Truck Maintenance Schedule

Premium Service for Your GM Vehicle

Your new General Motors vehicle was built to the highest quality standards to ensure reliability, durability and efficient operation year after year. The quality and integrity of your new General Motors vehicle can best be maintained with GM Service and Genuine GM Parts.

General Motors of Canada Limited recommends having all your maintenance and service performed by an authorized General Motors dealership because at your General Motors Servicing Dealership, you can be certain that you will receive the highest level of service and care available for your General Motors vehicle. GM technicians have been specially trained to maintain and repair your General Motors vehicle. General Motors of Canada trains, educates and tests every technician to ensure they meet the highest industry standards for vehicle repair and service. In addition, your GM dealer has special tools, equipment and computer software to ensure fast and accurate diagnostics.

This level of service is only available at an authorized General Motors Dealership.

Replacement Parts

General Motors recommends using ONLY General Motors Original Equipment Manufactured replacement parts. They are specifically designed to fit your vehicle and are manufactured to the highest quality standards to ensure that your vehicle continues to perform at its peak.

Your General Motors dealer usually stocks the parts to meet your vehicle's service needs in its parts department. If not, your GM dealer can quickly access the General Motors of Canada Parts Warehouse electronic database to order and promptly obtain the part required for your vehicle.

Your Vehicle and the Environment

Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the environment. All recommended maintenance procedures are important. 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, please follow our service recommendations.

Maintenance Requirements

Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and recommended fluids and lubricants as prescribed in this booklet are necessary to keep your vehicle in good working condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow recommended maintenance may not be covered by warranty.

General Motors of Canada Limited recommends that all vehicle maintenance records be documented, including the date and kilometres at time of service as well as service performed and /or part(s) installed. We have included a maintenance logbook for your convenience in this section of your booklet. Should your original vehicle maintenance records be lost or misplaced, your General Motors dealer keeps service records of all work done on your vehicle at the dealer's service department.

Using Your Maintenance Schedule

We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle in good working condition. But we don't know exactly how you drive. You may drive very short distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries or towing a trailer. Trailer towing adds extra strain to many of the vehicle's components. This may require additional maintenance. Please consult with your dealer and/or refer to Vehicle's Owner Manual. Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.

Because of all the different ways people use their vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more frequent checks and replacements. So please read the following maintenance requirements and determine the appropriate schedule for your driving habits. If you have any questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your General Motors of Canada Limited dealer, contact us at 1-800-GM-DRIVE or gmcanada.com.

Regardless of your driving habits and operating conditions, to keep your vehicle in good working order and to protect the environment as well as to ensure the safety of you and your occupants, every GM vehicle requires the following three service categories:

  1. Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled Maintenance
  2. Routine Checks, Inspections and Services
  3. Kilometre Driven Maintenance Services

The service requirements in this booklet are for vehicles that:

    • Carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle's Certification/Tire label. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual.
    • Are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal driving limits.
    • Are driven off-road in the recommended manner. See "Off-Road Driving" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual.
    • Use the recommended fuel. See "Fuel" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual.
    • Have Gasoline Engines. For Diesel Equipped Vehicles, see the DURAMAX™ Diesel Supplement.

Category 1: Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled Maintenance

Your vehicle may have a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter. The following chart, lists the 2004 General Motors of Canada Limited Vehicles NOT equipped with the GM Oil Life System.

2004 Models NOT equipped with the GM Oil Life System

Nameplate

Models

Chevrolet

Cavalier, Astro, Blazer, S10, Tracker, Epica, Optra and Aveo

Pontiac

Sunfire, Vibe and Bonneville SE

GMC

Jimmy, Safari and Sonoma

The GM Oil Life System is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on kilometres driven. Based on driving conditions, the kilometres at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. For the GM Oil Life System to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.

When the change engine oil message comes on, it means that service is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within the next 1 000 kilometres. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the GM Oil Life System may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your GM Goodwrench® dealer has GM-trained service technicians who will perform this work using genuine GM parts and reset the system.

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change your oil at 5 000 kilometres since your last oil change. Remember to reset the GM Oil Life System whenever the oil is changed. See "Oil Life System" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for information on resetting the system.

Lubricate chassis components, if required, with each engine oil and filter change. Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering linkage, transmission shift linkage, and parking brake cable guides. Ball joints should not be lubricated unless their temperature is 10°F (-12°C) or higher, or they could be damaged.

If Your Vehicle is Not Equipped with a GM Oil Life System

You'll need to decide which of the following two schedules is right for your vehicle. Here's how to decide which schedule to follow:

Short Trip/City

Recommended Oil Change Interval for Vehicles without the GM Oil Life System

Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:

    • Most trips are less than 8 kilometres. This is particularly important when outside temperatures are below freezing.
    • Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
    • You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle. With some models, you should never tow a trailer. See "Towing a Trailer" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual.
    • If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial application.
    • Drive in a dusty area
    • Use on unpaved roads

Change Engine Oil and Filter Every 5 000 kilometres (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).

One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions and your vehicle is not equipped with a GM Oil Life System is that these conditions cause engine oil to break down more quickly.

Long Trip/Highway

Recommended Oil Change Interval for Vehicles Without the GM Oil Life System.

Follow this scheduled maintenance ONLY if none of the conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance are true.

Change Engine Oil and Filter Every 12 500 kilometres: (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first)

Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down more slowly.

Category 2: Routine Checks, Inspections and Services

To help ensure the safety, dependability and emission control performance of your vehicle the following checks and services are required at the interval indicated below.

At Each Fuel Fill

It is important to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.

    • Engine Oil Level Check - Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. See "Engine Oil" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for further details.
    • Engine Coolant Level Check - Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL® coolant mixture if necessary. See "Engine Coolant" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for further details.
    • Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check - Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessary. See "Windshield Washer Fluid" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for further details.

Monthly

You are to perform these checks and services.

    • Tire Inflation Check. Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. Don't forget to check your spare tire. See "Tires" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for further details.
    • Cassette Deck Service (if equipped)...Clean the cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every 50 hours of tape play. See "Audio Systems" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for further details.

Semi-Annual Checks And Services

You or your General Motors Dealership should perform the following checks and services every 6 months. See "Owner Checks and Services" and "Periodic Maintenance Inspections" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for further details. Contact your General Motors Servicing Dealer for appointment and pricing.

Semi-Annual Checks and Service Schedule

Annual Checks and Service Schedule

Month:

Month:

Restraint System Check

Restraint System Check

Wiper Blade Check (Included in LOF Service)

Wiper Blade Check (Included in LOF Service)

Weatherstrip Lubrication

Weatherstrip Lubrication

Automatic/Manual Transmission/Transaxle Check

Automatic/Manual Transmission/Transaxle Check

Front and Rear Suspension and Tire Inspection (incl. Spare Tire)

Front and Rear Suspsension and Tire Inspection (incl. Spare Tire)

Steering System Inspection

Steering System Inspection

Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection

Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection

Exhaust System Inspection

Exhaust System Inspection

Fuel System Inspection

Fuel System Inspection

Engine Cooling System Inspection

Engine Cooling System Inspection

Throttle System Inspection

Throttle System Inspection

Brake System Inspection

Brake System Inspection

 

Key Lock Cylinders Service

 

Pressure Test the Cooling System and Radiator Cap

 

Body Lubrication Service

 

Starter Switch Check

 

Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check

 

Ignition Transmission/Transaxle Lock Check

 

Underbody Flushing Service

 

Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Park (P) Mechanism Check

Category 3: Kilometre Driven Vehicle Maintenance Schedule

This section summarizes the maintenance schedule and intervals for gasoline engine powered vehicles ONLY. For diesel equipped vehicles, please refer to the Vehicle's Owner Manual and the DURAMAX™ Diesel Supplement for further details.

Some of these services can be complex, so unless you are technically qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should let your General Motors dealer's service department do these jobs. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for further details.

Please note that items from the "Maintenance I" and "Maintenance II" Schedules, referred to in the Vehicle's Owner Manual of some General Motors passenger cars and trucks, are incorporated into the kilometre driven "Vehicle Maintenance Schedule" as well as "Semi-Annual" and "Annual Checks and Service Schedule" outlined in this booklet.

The kilometre driven Vehicle Maintenance Schedule applies to most GM cars and trucks except for the following. For models listed below, refer to Vehicle's Owner Manual.

2004 Models NOT Included in the Following Vehicle Maintenance Schedule

Nameplate

Models

Chevrolet

Aveo, Epica, Optra and Tracker

Pontiac

Vibe

Note: Please consult your specific Vehicle's Owner Manual for the above models.

Vehicle Maintenance Schedule

Service

Models Without the GM Oil Life System

Models With the GM Oil Life System

Passenger Cars & Trucks

Change Oil and Filter

Every 5 000 km or 3 months

When GM Oil Life System light indicates or 12 months, whichever occurs first.

Chassis Lubrication

Every 10 000 km or

6 months-Cars

Every 5 000 km or

3 months-Trucks

Every Oil Change*

Rotate Tires

Every 10 000 km

Every Oil Change

Engine Air Cleaner Filter Inspection*

Every 25 000 km*

Every Oil Change

Replace Passenger Compartment Air Filter, If Equipped.

--

Every Other Oil Change

Engine Air Cleaner Filter Replacement*

Every 50 000 km

Every 41 500 km**

Supercharger Oil Level Check

--

Every 41 500 km or 36 months

Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Service*

Every 83 000 km

Every 83 000 km

Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Normal Service (Except if sealed-for-life)

Every 166 000 km

Every 166 000 km

Replace Spark Plugs and Inspect Spark Plug Wires

Every 166 000 km

Every 166 000 km

Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection

Every 240 000 km

Every 240 000 km

Cooling System Service

Every 240 000 km or 60 months

Every 240 000 km or 60 months

*Severe Service -- Refer to Owner's Manual

**If equipped with Air Filter Restriction Gauge, replace when indicated.

Additional Required Truck Maintenance Schedule

Service

Models Without the GM Oil Life System

Models With the GM Oil Life System

Trucks Require These Services

Check Rear/Front Axle Fluid Level and Add Fluid as Needed.

Every 5 000 km

--

Check Constant Velocity Joints and Axle Seals for Leaking.

Every 5 000 km

Every Other Oil Change

Change Allison® External Control Filter.

--

At First Oil Change

Front Wheel Bearing Repack (RWD only) for Astro/Safari

Every 25 000 km or

at each brake relining, whichever occurs first

--

Automatic Transmission Service* for Astro/Safari, S10 Sonoma and Blazer/Jimmy

Every 25 000 km

--

Allison® Automatic Transmission Service*

--

Every 41 500 km

ZF® 6-Speed Manual Transmission Service

--

See Owner Manual

Replace Fuel Filter

Every 50 000 km

Every 41 500 km

Automatic Transmission Normal Service for Astro/Safari, S10/Sonoma, Blazer/Jimmy and Allison® Transmission

Every 83 000 km

Every 83 000 km

Change transfer case fluid

Every 83 000 km

Every 83 000 km

Inspect Evaporative Control System

--

Every 83 000 km

Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection (If equipped)

Every 166 000 km

Every 166 000 km

*Severe Service - Refer to Owner Manual

Important: These intervals are for most General Motors gasoline powered vehicles. Please follow the complete scheduled maintenance outlined in the "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for your specific General Motors vehicle.

For Your Information

The following explanations are to help you understand the maintenance services your General Motors dealer will perform. Your General Motors vehicle is equipped with industry leading technological innovations that have been designed to make sure you will have years of safe, efficient and trouble free driving. Therefore, you'll want only the best people servicing your GM vehicle, the GM trained and equipped technician.

Engine Oil and Filter

Change your engine oil and filter as follows:

    • Vehicles equipped with the GM Oil Life System. A light on the instrument panel indicates when the oil is to be changed or every 12 months, whichever occurs first. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the next 1 000 kilometres.
    • Vehicles not equipped with the GM Oil Life System. See "Selecting the Right Schedule " section in your Vehicle's Owner Manual.

Use only GF3 (U.S. - SL) engine oil, such as GM Engine Oil, which has been formulated to be 25 percent more efficient than the previous GF2 engine oil. To ensure your vehicle does in fact get the GF3 engine oil, this service should be performed at a General Motors dealership. For recommended viscosity grade level, See "What Kind of Engine Oil to Use" section in your Vehicle's Owner Manual.

Tire Rotation

The average Canadian drives over 19 000 kilometres per year. To prolong tire life, rotate tires every 10 000 kilometres (or at every oil change on GM Oil Life System equipped vehicles). See "Tire Inspection and Rotation" in your Vehicle's Owner Manual for proper rotation pattern and additional information. All General Motors of Canada Limited dealers have been issued special tools to properly torque the wheel nuts to factory specifications. To ensure wheel nuts are torqued properly and avoid damage to the wheel assembly and your braking system, a qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

Drive Belts

Your General Motors vehicle is equipped with an engine accessory drive belt that has a wear indicator to advise you when to have the belt replaced. When the wear indicator shows that it is time to replace the belt, a qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

Engine Coolant

Drain and refill the cooling system every 5 years or 240 000 kilometres whichever comes first. See "Engine Coolant" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for additional information. Use only General Motors DEX-COOL® (orange-colour) engine coolant. If a top up is required, add ONLY DEX-COOL® (orange-colour) engine coolant and clean tap water in a 50/50 mixture. Using regular antifreeze (green-colour) will reduce the 5 year change interval to 24 months or 50 000 kilometres. If regular antifreeze (green-colour) were introduced to the cooling system, a qualified General Motors dealer's technician has a procedure to return your cooling system back to the original 5 year or 240 000 kilometre properties, if performed immediately. Therefore to save money and protect the integrity of the cooling system, as well as protect your vehicle's warranty coverage, a qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

Exhaust Pipes and Mountings

Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler and hangers for cracks, deterioration or damage every 6 months. See "Engine Exhaust" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for additional information. Start the engine and listen carefully for any exhaust leakage. If a problem is detected, connectors may need tightening or parts replaced. Therefore, tighten connections or replace parts as necessary. A qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

Inspect air cleaner/filter element as scheduled and replace as indicated in the Vehicle Maintenance Schedule. Replace more often if you drive in dusty conditions or off road conditions. Some General Motors vehicles have an indicator located on the air cleaner in the engine compartment that lets you know when the air cleaner filter is dirty and needs to be changed. See "Engine Air Cleaner/Filter" or "Air Cleaner" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for additional information. A qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

Spark Plugs

Your GM Vehicle is equipped with long life - platinum/iridium spark plugs that have been designed to last up to 166 000 kilometres. However, various fuel additives used by the Canadian petroleum industry may shorten the life span. Long life - platinum/iridium spark plugs should never be taken out and cleaned. Always install new plugs of the same type as originally equipped. See "Spark Plug" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual for additional information. A qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

Brake Linings and Drums, Pads and Discs

Every 6 months, inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions result in frequent braking. With many General Motors vehicles having an advanced electronic braking system (ABS), a qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform brake service.

Chassis Lubrication

Check the suspension, steering, steering linkage and ball-joints for looseness or damage. Lubricate as indicated in the Vehicle Maintenance Schedule. Check all dust covers for deterioration or damage. A qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

When to Change - Automatic Transmission Fluid*

General Motors transmissions have been designed for durability, dependability and reliability. They can be either be sealed or conventional, but when the vehicle is operated in severe conditions as described below, the transmission fluid has to be changed. Change automatic transmission fluid and filter at 83 000 kilometres 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, and have a transmission with a dipstick, change the fluid and filter at 166 000 kilometres. If you have a sealed-for-life transmission the fluid and filter do not require changing. To ensure the transmission fluid and filter maintenance is performed correctly and that DEXRON®-III Automatic Transmission Fluid is used, a qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

*Astro/Safari, S10/Sonoma, Blazer/Jimmy Only: Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter at 25 000 kilometres if the vehicle is mainly driven under one of the severe conditions detailed above and if you do not use your vehicle under any of these severe conditions, change the fluid and filter every 83 000 kilometres.

*Allison® Transmission Only: The external control-main filter should be replaced at the first 12 500 kilometres. Thereafter, change automatic transmission fluid and filter at 41 500 kilometres if the vehicle is mainly driven under one of the severe conditions detailed above. If you do not use your vehicle under any of these severe conditions, change the fluid and filter every 83 000 kilometres.

Cabin Filters

Replace passenger compartment air filter, if equipped, as indicated in the Vehicle Maintenance Schedule, or more frequently if operating in a dusty environment. A qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform this service.

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance

The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance. Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be rebalanced. A qualified General Motors dealer's technician should perform these services.

OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

Please be sure to properly operate, care for and maintain your GM vehicle as outlined in the Vehicle's Owner Manual. It is your responsibility to maintain your service records as it may be necessary for warranty reasons to show that the required maintenance on your vehicle has been performed. After you have had the required services performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service in the following record pages. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts.

Oil Change Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Oil Change Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Oil Change Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Semi-Annual Checks, Inspections & Service Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Semi-Annual Checks, Inspections & Service Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Semi-Annual Checks, Inspections & Service Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Kilometre Driven Vehicle Maintenance Service Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Kilometre Driven Vehicle Maintenance Service Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

Kilometre Driven Vehicle Maintenance Service Records


Object Number: 1202233  Size: C1

General Motors dealers and their service professionals are truly dedicated to making servicing your GM vehicle convenient and worry free. When you bring your vehicle in for your service, you will experience the code that they up hold.

Right On Time......

Our Commitment To You.

When Your GM Vehicle Needs Servicing,

We Will Do, What Needs To Be Done, Not What Doesn't.

We Will Get You Back Behind The Wheel Quickly.

Enjoy The Open Road And Leave The Rest To Us!

Authorized Dealer

Goodwrench Service

Date