1993 PONTIAC GRAND-AM Owners Manual

Service & Appearance Care
208
3300 V6 Engine (CODE N)
When you open your hood, you’ll see:
1. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
3. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Air Cleaner
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
(if equipped)
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Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your 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. Turn
off the engine and give the
oil a few minutes to drain back into the
oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil:
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 lower.
2.3L Quad OHC and Quad 4:
Checking Engine Oil
3300 V6: Checking Engine Oil
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the ADD line,
then
you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This
section explains what kind
of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see the Index
under Capacities & Spec$kations.
20s
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Service & Appearance Care
Engine Oil (CONTI
Just fill it enough to put the level
somewhere
in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick
all the way
back
in when you’re through.
2.3L Quad OHC and Quad 4: Adding
Engine Oil
3300 V6: Adding Engine 011
What Kind of Oil to Use
Look for Three Things:
SG
“SG” must be on the oil container,
either by itself or combined with other
quality designations, such as “SG/CC,” “SG/CD,”
“SF, SG, CC,”
etc. These letters show American
Petroleum Institute
(API) levels of
quality.
mm. 210
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SAE 5W-30 (2.3L Quad OHC and
Quad 4 Engines)
As shown in the viscosity chart,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle.
However,
you can use SAE 1OW-30 if
it’s going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers
on an oil container
show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
211
I-
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Service & Appearance Care
What Kind of Oil to Use (CONT.)
SAE low-30 (3300 V6 Engine)
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE
1OW-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use SAE
5W-30 if
it's going
to be colder than 60°F
(16°C) before your next oil change.
When it's very cold, below
0°F
(-18"C), you should use SAE 5W-30.
These numbers on an oil container
show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 2OW-50.
212
Energy Conserving II
Oils with these words on the container
will help you save fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is
used on most
oil containers to help you
select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil
container, and use only those oils that
display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ Oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
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I
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. Your
Pontiac dealer is ready to advise
if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It's below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time
(as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and fdter every 3,000 miles
(5 0oO km) or 3 months-whichever
comes first. (See the
Index under Check
Oil Light.)
If none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months-whichever comes first. Change
the filter at the first oil change and at
every other
oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater
An engine block heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside
in very
cold weather,
0" F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see the
Index under Engine Block Heater.
213 I..
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Service & Appearance Care
What to Do with Used Oil
A
Used engine oil contains
things that have caused skin
cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t
let used oil stay on your skin for
very long. Clean your
skin and
nails with soap
and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine oil.
214
Used oil can be a real threat to the
environment.
If you change your own oil, be sure to
drain
all free-flowing oil from the filter
before disposal.
Don’t ever dispose of oil by pouring it
on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used
oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing
of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter.
See the
Index under Scheduled
Maintenance Sewices
.
CAUTION
A
Operating the engine with the
air cleaner off can cause you
or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it
stops flame if the engine backfires.
If it isn’t there,
and the engine
backfires, you could be burned.
Don’t drive with
it off, and be
careful working on the engine
with
the air cleaner off.
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I
2.3L Quad OHC and Quad 4: Air
Filter Replacement
1. Unsnap the clip on the housing cover
and
pull the cover back.
2. Remove the air cleaner filter.
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter
and replace the cover tightly.
215 DDD
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