During general maintenance service what areas are you supposed to be lubricating/greasing, and with what type of lube/grease?

I know you use brake lube on pads, guide pins, mounting brackets.

What about suspension, hinges, anywhere else?

 

It is important to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check

Notice: It is important to check the engine oil regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause damage to the engine not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. See Engine Oil.
Engine Coolant Level Check

Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOLŽ coolant mixture if necessary. See Engine Coolant.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check

Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer fluid reservoir and add the proper fluid if necessary.

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At least once a month:

Tire Inflation Check

Inspect the vehicle's tires and make sure they are inflated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check the spare tire.

Tire Wear Inspection

Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service notification. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary, rotate the tires.


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At least once a year

Starter Switch Check

Caution: When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured.

1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake. See Parking Brake.

Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact your dealer/retailer for service.

On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever in NEUTRAL, push the clutch pedal down halfway, and try to start the engine. The vehicle should start only when the clutch pedal is pushed down all the way to the floor. If the vehicle starts when the clutch pedal is not pushed all the way down, contact your dealer/retailer for service.

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check

Caution: When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured.

1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake.

Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN, but do not start the engine. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer for service.

Ignition Transmission Lock Check

While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
• With an automatic transmission, the ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift lever is in PARK (P). The ignition key should come out only in LOCK/OFF.
• With a manual transmission, the ignition key should come out only in LOCK/OFF.

Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. It should only lock when turned to the right. Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check

Caution: When you are doing this check, the vehicle could begin to move. You or others could be injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there is room in front of the vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.

Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the parking brake.
• To check the parking brake's holding ability: With the engine running and transmission in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
• To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then release the parking brake followed by the regular brake.

Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.


Replace wiper blades


Underbody Flushing Service

At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can collect.

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Maintenance schedule: (#1= Use #1 if the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes on within 10 months of when #2 was done. #2= Use #2 if the last service was #1, Always use #2 whenever the CHANGE OIL SOON message doesnt come on withing 10 months)

Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil. Reset oil life system.(1,2)

Visually check for any leaks or damage.(1,2)

Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace filter.(2)

Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear. (1,2).

Inspect brake system. See footnote (1,2)

Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid levels. Add fluid as needed.(1,2)

Inspect suspension and steering components.(2)

Inspect engine cooling system. (2)

Lubricate body components. (2)

Replace passenger compartment air filter.(2)

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Lubes

Engine Oil (2.2L and 2.4L L4 engines)

Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle's engine, see Engine Oil .
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Engine Oil (2.0L L4 engine)

The engine requires a special engine oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard can be identified with the American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. However, not all synthetic API oils with the starburst symbol will meet this GM standard. Look for and use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M. For the proper viscosity, see Engine Oil .
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Engine Cooling System


50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOLŽ compatible long life style coolants
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Hydraulic Brake System


DelcoŽ Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or superior DOT3/4/5.1. I recommend ATE Typ200
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Hydraulic Clutch System


same as brake system
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Windshield Washer


OptikleenŽ or other high quality Washer Solvent.
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Parking Brake Cable Guides


Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
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Manual Transmission (2.2L and 2.4L L4 engines)


Dexron VI, or Mobil1 ATF is an excellent choice as well, but must be maintained more often than Dexron VI
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Manual Transmission (2.0L L4 engine)


Manual Transmission Fluid ( 05-07 GM Part No US 21018899 '08-10 GM Part No. U.S. 88862472, in Canada 88862473). Redline 75w90NS or MTS in a pinch, NEVER any other friction modified gear lube
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Automatic Transmission


DEXRONŽ-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
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Key Lock Cylinders


Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in Canada 10953474).
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Manual Transmission Shift Linkage


Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
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Chassis Lubrication


Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
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Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl


Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada 992723) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
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Hood and Door Hinges


Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in Canada 10953474).
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Weatherstrip Conditioning


Weatherstrip Lubricant or Dielectric Silicone Grease(such as Nyogel 760G which is also a must have for electrical work), or Dupont Krytox liquid lube (very expensive works great)

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Brake parts lube

Permatex Extreme Ceramic Brake lube, its got a purple label and the product is purple, its available almost everywhere. It also doubles as a great antiseize.



Pick yourslef up a tub of Nyogel 760G, Permatex Purpel brake lube, and a can of GM Superlube, these 3 things are probably the most widely used product you need for your shop besides Brake Kleen and Loctite.

 

Some one said you can post so you can click on your name and find your previous posts...
Good idea let me try

 

Wow, thanks! As always a well detailed answer.

Do you also have any info on the specific spots that need the lubrication of chasis, etc

 

I didn't think that we had any lube points on our chassis. I thought all of our joints are service-free, but I could be wrong (and probably am).

 

I don't remember seeing any re-occuring lubrication requirment/suggestions in my Haynes or Chilton's manuals.

 

I didn't see anything either, that's why I'm wondering. Guess it's just the hinges body areas that need the attention