1993 PONTIAC GRAND-AM check engine

Part 6
... N604
Here you will find information
about the care of your Pontiac
. This
part begins with service and fuel
information. and then it shows how
to check important fluid and
lubricant levels
. There is also
technical information about your
vehicle. and a section devoted to its
appearance care
.
Service & Appearance Care
Service ................ .................................. 198
Fuel
........................................................... 199
HoodRelease .................................................... 205
Engineoil
...................................................... 209
Aircleaner
...................................................... 214
Transaxle Fluid
.................................................. 216
Engine Coolant
.................................................. 221
Power Steering Fluid
.............................................. 224
Windshield Washer Fluid
........................................... 224
Brakes
......................................................... 225
Battery
......................................................... 227
BulbReplacement
................................................ 228
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
................................. 230
Loading Your Vehicle
............................................. 230
Tires
.......................................................... 232
Appearancecare
................................................. 239
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
................................. 247
Add-on Electrical Equipment
....................................... 248
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ........................................... 248
Capacities
& Specifications ......................................... 251
Fluids
& Lubricants ............................................... 253
Replacement Bulbs
............................................... 254
Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts ............................. 257
197
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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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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
Air Cleaner (CONI)
3300 V6: Air Filter Replacement
1. Unscrew the two wing nuts, then
slide
the cover forward and up.
216
2. Remove the air cleaner.
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter
and replace the cover.
Automatic Tmnsax/e Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle fluid level is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer
to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See the
Index under
Scheduled Maintenance Services.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Pontiac dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
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the transaxle fluid level if you have been
driving:
When outside temperatures are abve
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot
While pulling a trailer.
Ta get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to
93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If
it’s colder
than 50°F (lO°C), you may
have to drive longer.
90°F (32°C).
weather.
0 Park your vehicle an a level place.
Place the shift lever in F (Park) with
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the parking brake applied.
move the shift lever through each gear
range,
pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in P (Park).
five minutes.
Let the engine run at idle for three to
Then, Without Shutting OMF the
Engine, Follow These Steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull
it back out
again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the luwer level. The fluid level
must be
in the crass-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should
be, push the dipstick back in all the
way.
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Service & Appearance Care
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (CONT.)
How To Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transaxle fluid to
use. See the
Index under Fluids &
Lubricants.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level into
the cross-hatched area on the dipstick.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less
than a pint. Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids
with that label are made especially for
your automatic transaxle. Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under
How tu Check.
When the correct fluid level is obtained,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check:
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. However, the
fluid in your manual transaxle doesn’t
require changing.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Pontiac dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
m.. 218
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Check the fluid level only when your
engine is
off, the vehicle is parked on a
level place and the transaxle is cool
enough for you to rest your fingers on
the transaxle case.
Then, Follow These Steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out
the dipstick and clean it with a rag or
paper towel.
remove it.
2. Push it back in all the way and
3. Check both sides of the dipstick and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be between the
ADD and
FULL marks. (Note: Fluid may
appear at the bottom
of the dipstick
even when the fluid level is several
pints low.)
4. If the fluid level is where it should
be, push the dipstick back in all the
way.
5. Be sure to push the handle down
fully.
21s I..
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Service & Appearance Care
I Engine Coolant (CONI)
If you use an improper coolant
mix, your engine could overheat
and be badly damaged. The reDair
cost wouldn’t be covered by
yo
warranty. Too much water in the
mix can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater
c ; and
other parts.
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant:
When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at
FULL COLD, or a
little higher.
3
To Add Coolant:
If you need more coolant, add the
proper
mix at the surge tank, but only
when the engine is cool.
II
Turning the surge tank
L pressure cap when the engine
and radiator are hot can allow
sbeam and scalding liquids to blow
out and burn you badly. Never turn
the surge tank pressure capieven
a little-when the engine and I
radiator are hot.
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