Problems on the Road
Engine Overheating (CONTJ
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank:
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t at or above
FULL
COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and a proper
antifreeze at the coolant surge
tank, but
be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is
cool before
you do it. (See the Index
under Engine Coolant for more
information about the proper coolant
mix.)
182
L Steam and scalding liquids
L from a hot cooling system can
blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn
cap-evm a little-they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the
pressure cap when the cooliag
tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant
you ever have to turn the pmsure
MP.
the coolant surge tank pressure
system, including the COoIant surge
surge tank pressure cap to cool if
Adding only plain water to
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mix will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the
wrong mix, your engine could get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix
of
clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
k your cooling system can be I
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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
ProCarManuals.com
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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Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see the
Index under
Engine Overheating.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac
will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
-34°F (-37°C).
(128°C).
temperature.
Let the warning
should. lights work as they
What to Use:
Use
a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can
also use a
recycled coolant conforming to GM
Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush and refill. If you use this
mixture, you don’t need to add anything
else.
CAUTION I
A Adding only plain water ta
L pur cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
bebe the proper coolant mix will.
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the
wrong mix, your engine could get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the
overheat warning, Your engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix
of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
Your v&hicle’s coolant warning
221 .
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Adding Brake Fluid
............ .225. 253
Electrical Equipment
... .55. 107 248
Engine Coolant
...... .%22. 251. 253
Engine Oil
......... .209. 251. 253
Power Steering Fluid
. .224. 252. 253
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
.... .220. 253
Transaxle Fluid Automatic
........ .218. 251. 253
Manual
.......... .220. 251. 253
Windshield Washer Fluid
.. .224. 253
Air Cleaner
.............. .214. 257
Air Conditioner
................ 103
Alcohol. Driving Under the
Influence of
.................. 127
Alcohol in Gasoline
............. 201
Aluminum Wheels
Cleaning
.................... 244
Removing
................... 188
Antenna
....................... 119
Fixed Mast
................... 119
Antifreeze
............ .221. 251. 253
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
.... 131
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 97
Appearance Care
............... 239 Ashtray and Lighter
.............. 85
Audio Systems ................. 107
AM/FM Stereo Radio
.......... 108
AM/FM Stereo Radio with
Cassette Player
............. 109
AM/FM Stereo Radio with
Compact Disc Player
......... 113
Care
of Audio Systems ......... 118
Delco LOC
II@ ............... 116
Radio Reception. For the Best
.... 117
Setting the Clock
.............. 107
Automatic Door Locks
........... 46
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt
(see
Safety Belts)
Automatic Transaxle
Adding Fluid
........ .218, 251. 253
Checking Fluid
............... 216
Shifting
...................... 57
Starting Your Engine
........... 52
BBB Hot Line
................ 282
Battery
.................. .171. 227
Jump Starting
................ 171
Battery Rundown Protection
...... 78
Warning
.................... 173
Voltmeter
.................... 96
Blizzard. If You’re Caught In a ..... 157
Block Heater. Engine
........ .56. 213
Blowout. Tire
.................. 185
Brakes
................. .96. 97. 131
Adjustment
.................. 135
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
. . 131
Brake Pedal Travel
............ 134
Fluid
.................. .225. 253
Master Cylinder
.............. 225
Parking
...................... 63
Rear Drums
................. 134
Replacement
................. 226
Warning Light
............ .96. 97
Wear Indicators
............... 133
Brake System Warning Light
...... 96
Standard Brakes ............... 96
Brake/Transaxle Shift Interlock ..... 65
Brakes. Anti-Lock Warning Light
................ 97
Braking
....................... 130
Braking Emergencies
............ 135
Braking Technique
.............. 130
“Break-In:’
New Vehicle
Normal Driving
............... 50
When Towing a Trailer ......... 161
Anti-Lock Brake System
........ 97
293
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Buckling Up (see Safety Belts)
Bulb Replacement
Fog Lights
.................. 229
Headlight
.............. .228. 254
Taillight
........... .229. 254
Capacities
& Specifications ...... 251
Carbon Monoxide in Exhaust
.. .66. 67
Cassette Tape Player
Center Passenger Position
......... 28
Chains. Safety
................. 164
Chains. Tire
.............. .193. 238
Changing a Flat Tire
............ 186
Charging System Warning Light
.... 95
“Check Gauges’’ Light ........... 99
Check Oil Light ............... 94
Checking
Brake Fluid
.................. 225
Engine Coolant
............... 222
Engine Oil Level
............. 209
Hydraulic Clutch
............. 220
Power Steering Fluid
.......... 224
Safety Belt Systems
............ 40
Transaxle Fluid
Automatic
................. 216
(see Audio Systems)
Dm. 294
Manual ................... 218
Checking Things Under the Hood
.............. 204
Checks
& Services. Owner ....... 271
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......... 246
Child Restraints
................. 30
Children and Safety Belts
..... .29. 38
Cigarette Lighter
................ 85
Circuit Breakers & Fuses ......... 248
City Driving
................... 147
Cleaner, Air
.............. .214. 257
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............ 244
Antenna
..................... 119
Cassette Player and Tapes
....... 118
Compact Discs
............... 119
Fabric
...................... 240
Finish Damage
............... 246
Foreign Material
.............. 245
Glass
...................... 243
Inside of Your Pontiac
......... 240
Leather and Vinyl
............. 242
Outside of Your Pontiac
........ 243
Safety Belts
.................. 242
Sheet Metal Damage
.......... 245
Special Problems
............. 241
Top
of the Instrument Panel ..... 242 Underbody Maintenance
....... 246
Using Solvent Type Cleaner
..... 241
Warnings
...... .239. 240. 242. 244
Weatherstrips
................ 245
White Sidewall Tires .......... 244
Windshield and Wiper Blades
... 243
Climate Control System
.......... 102
Clock. Setting
the ............... 107
Clutch. Hydraulic Adding Fluid
........... .220. 253
Checking Fluid
............... 220
Coin Holder
.................... 84
Comfort Controls
............... 101
Air Conditioning System
....... 103
Climate Control System
........ 102
Defrosting
................... 102
Heater
...................... 102
Ventilation
............ .102. 104
Compact Disc Player
(see
Audio Systems)
Compact Spare Tire ........ .192. 304
Control of a Vehicle
............. 129
Controlled-Cycle Windshield Wipers
. . 80
Convex Outside Mirror ........... 81
Coolant
....................... 221
Checking
& Adding .. .222. 251. 253
Low Coolant Warning Light
...... 93
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Proper Mixture to Use ......... 221
Safety Warnings. About
........ .179. 181. 182. 183
Temperature Gage
............. 93
Temperature Warning Light ...... 92
Thermostat
.................. 223
Corrosion Protection
............ 246
Cruise Control
.................. 70
Cup Holders
................... 83
Curves. Driving
on .............. 136
Customer Assistance Information
. . 279
Daytime Running Lights
......... 75
Defects. Safety. Reporting Dead Battery: What to Do
........ 171
Defensive Driving
.............. 126
(see
Safety Defects)
Defogger. Rear Window .......... 105
Defogging Your Windows
.... .103. 105
Door Locks
.................... 45
Door. Remote Fuel Filler
......... 203
Downshifting
.............. .62. 152
Driver Position
.................. 18
Driving
....................... 121
AtNight
.............. ... 142 City
........................ 147
Controlling a Skid
............. 141
Defensively
.................. 126
Drunken
.................... 127
Freeway
.................... 148
Highway Hypnosis
............ 151
Hill and Mountain
............ 152
In a Foreign Country
.......... 202
In Fog, Mist and Haze ......... 146
In the Rain
.................. 144
Long Distance ................ 150
Loss of Control
............... 140
On Curves ................... 136
Passing
..................... 138
Skidding
.................... 141
Through Deep Standing Water
.... 55
Winter Driving
............... 156
With a Trailer
................ 164
Driving on
Snow or Ice .......... 156
Drunken Driving
............... 127
Easy-Entry Seat
................ 11
Electrical Equipment, Adding
............. .55, 107, 248
Emergencies, Braking
........... 135 Emergencies
on the
Road ......... 169
Emergencies. Steering in
......... 137
Emergency Starting
.............. 171
Emergency Towing
.............. 175
Engine Block Heater
......... .56, 213
Engine Coolant (see
CooZant)
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Engine Identification
........ .52. 247
Engine Oil
.................... 209
Additives
.................... 213
Checking
& Adding ........... 209
Disposing of Used Oil
.......... 214
Energy Conserving
............ 212
Filter
.................. .213. 257
Kind of Oil to Use ............. 210
Pressure Gage
................. 95
Warning Light
................ 93
When to Change .............. 213
Engine Overheating
............. 179
Engine Specifications
............ 256
Engine. Starting
................. 52
Automatic Transaxle
........... 53
Manual Transaxle
.............. 53
2.3L Quad 4 Engine
............ 53
3300
V6 Engine ............... 54
295
Light (see Coolant)
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Locks ......................... 45
Automatic Door Lock
......... -46
Rear Door Security Locks
....... 47
Low Battery
................... 171
Low Oil Pressure Warning
..... .93, 94
Lubricants
& Fluids ......... .253, 276
Lumbar Support
.................. 9
Long Distance Driving
........... 150
Maintenace Record
............ 278
Maintenance Schedule
.......... 259
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
....... 98
Manual Front Seat ................ 8
Manual Lumbar Support ........... 9
Manual 4-Way Adjustable Seat ...... 9
Manual Transaxle
Adding Fluid
....... .220. 251. 253
Checking Fluid
................ 218
Parking
...................... 66
Shifting ..................... 60
Starting Your Engine ........... 52
Upshift Indicator Light
..... .62, 98
Master Cylinder, Brake .......... 225
Methanol in Gasoline
........... 201
Maintenance Services. Scheduled
... 262
Mileage Indicator
Mirrors (see
Odometer & Speedometer)
Inside
Manual Day/Night ........ 81
Manual Remote Control ........ 82
Convex Outside
............... 81
Power Remote Control ......... 82
Mountain Driving
.............. 152
New Car “Break-In”
Requirements
............ .50. 161
Night Driving
................. 142
Night Vision
.................. 142
octane Requirements
(see
Fuel Requirements)
Odometer & Speedometer ......... 90
Off-Road Recovery
............. 13 8
Oil. Engine ................... 209
Pressure Gage
................ 95
Quality
..................... 210
Thickness
................... 211
Used Oil
.................... 214
When to Change
.............. 213 Oil
Warning Light
............... 93
Operation
of Lights .............. 74
Outside Rearview Mirrors
........ 82
Overheated Engine
............. 179
Overheated Engine Coolant Warning Light
.............. 92
Owner Checks
& Services ........ 271
Parking On Hills
............... .154, 165
Over Things That Burn
......... 66
With the Engine Running
... .64. 67
Parking Brake
.................. 63
Park. Shifting Into
........... .57. 64
Passenger Belts (see
Safety Belts)
Passenger Side Cup HolderKtorage
Area
........................ 84
Passing
....................... 138
Polishing and Waxing
Power Door Locks
.............. 46
Power Mirrors
.................. 82
Power Seat Controls
.............. 9
Power Steering Fluid
............. .224. 252. 253
(see
Appearance
Care)
298
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