Page 197 of 338

I
Problems on the Road
You can be burned ifp~
l spill coolant on hot engine
parts. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol
and it will bum if the engine
parts are hot enough. Don't spill
coolant on a hat engine.
When the coolant in the coolant
recovery tank
is at or above COLD,
start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues,
there's one more
thing you can try. You
can add the proper coolant mix directly
to
the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before you do it.
'I 96
A Steam and scalding liquids
L from a hot cooling system dm
b.,,v out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn
the radiator pressure cap-even a
little-they can come out at high
speed. Never turn the pressure cap
when the cooling system, including
the radiator pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap tu cool if you
ever have to turn the pressure-cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator:
Your engine has a specific radiator
fill procedure. Failure
to follow the
procedure
could cause your engine
to overheat and be severely
damaged.
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Page 198 of 338
1. You can remove the radiator pressure
cap when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator hose, is
no longer
hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly to
the left until it first stops. (Don’t
press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap,
but now push down as you turn it.
Remove
the pressure cap.
I CAUTION
I A You can be burned if you
spill
coolant on hot engine
pa La. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine
parts
are hot enough. Don’t spill
coolant on a hot engine.
3. After the engine cools, open the
coolant air bleed valve or valves.
3.1L V6 (VIN Code T): There are
two bleed valves. They
are located on
the thermostat housing and the
thermostat bypass tube.
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Page 199 of 338
Problems on the Road
I I
~
I..
€ngh Overheating (cow.)
3.4L V6 (VIN Code X): There are
two bleed valves. They are located on
the thermostat housing and the
heater inlet pipe.
1 918
4. Fill the radiator with the proper mix,
up to the base of the filler neck.
If you see a stream of coolant coming
from an air bleed valve, close the valve.
Otherwise, close the valve(s) after the
radiator is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant
from the engine compartment.
6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to
the
COLD mark.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 200 of 338
7. Put the cap back on the coolant 8. Start the engine and let it run until
recovery tank, but leave the radiator
you can feel the upper radiator hose
pressure cap off. getting hot.
Watch out for the engine
fans.
9. By this time the coolant level inside
the radiator filler neck
may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the
proper
mix through the filler neck
until the level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
10. Then replace the pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows
on the pressure cap ~
line up like this
11. Check the coolant recovery tank.
The coolant level should be at
HOT
when the engine is hot and at
COLD when the engine is cold.
ISS...
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Page 212 of 338

Part 6
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
.
81 1
Service & Appearance Care
Service ........................................................................\
...................................... 212
Fuel ........................................................................\
............................................ 213
Hood Release ........................................................................\
............................ 216
Engine Oil
........................................................................\
................................ 220
Air Cleaner ........................................................................\
............................... 224
Transaxle
Fluid ........................................................................\
........................ 225
Engine Coolant ........................................................................\
........................ 230
Power Steering Fluid ........................................................................\
............... 233
Windshield Washer
Fluid ........................................................................\
........ 233
Brakes
.......... .......................... ........................................................................\
... 234
Battery
........................................................................\
........................ .... .......... 236
Bulb Replacement ........................................................................\
.................... 236
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................................................................\
.............. 252
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............................................................. 268
Capacities
& Specifications ........................................................................\
..... 276
Replacement
Bulbs ................................................................... .......- ............... 280
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement ............................................................ 252
Tires ........................................................................\
.......................................... 254
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
...................... 261
Add-on Electrical Equipment ........................................................................\
. 269
Fuses & Circuit Breakers ........................................................................\
........ 270
Fluids
& Lubricants ........................................................................\
................. 278
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ....................................................... 284
ProCarManuals.com
Page 218 of 338
I
I
Then go to the front of the vehicle and
release the secondary
hood release.
Lift the hood.
CAUTION I
A
An electric fan under the
hood can start up and injure
you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and
tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
I-
I
CAUTION
fire. These include liquids like
gasoline, oil, coolant, brake fluid,
windshield washer and other
fluids,
and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be
careful not to
drop or spill things that will burn
onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood,
be sure all the
filler caps are on properly. Then
just
pull the hood down and close it firmly.
A
Things that burn can get on I
hot engine parts and start a
ProCarManuals.com
Page 219 of 338
Service & Appearance Care
21%
W6118
3.IL V6 Engine (CODE T)
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
1. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
3. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
5. Battery
6. Air Cleaner
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Radiator Pressure Cap
10. Engine Coolant Reservoir
ProCarManuals.com
Page 220 of 338
d
Twin Dual Cam (DOHC) 3.4L V6
hgne (CODE x)
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
1. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
3. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Air Cleaner
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap
9. Engine Oil Dipstick
IO. Radiator Pressure Cap
11. Engine Coolant Reservoir
(if equipped)
(if equipped)
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