1993 PONTIAC GRAND-PRIX Owners Manual

Service & Appearance Care
,
Filling Your Tank (CONI-.)
If you need a new cap, be
=== 216
Checking Things Under the
The following sections tell you how to
check fluids, lubricants and important
parts underhood.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle
inside the vehicle.
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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.
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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
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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
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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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Service & Appearance Care
Eagine 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.
3.1 L V6: Checking Engine Oil
Twin Dual Cam
3.4L 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 and Specifications.
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3.1 L V6: Adding Engine Oil
Twin
Dual Cam 3.4L V6: Adding Engine
Don’t add too much oil. If y
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.
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.
u use oils that don’t
have th
” designation, you can caus
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Service & Appearance Care
For best fuel economy and cold startin
select the lowest
SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range.
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Wbat Kind of Oil to Use (CONT.)
SAE 5W-30
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.
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IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE
OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
RADE,OIL NOT RECOMMEN
Energy Conserving I1
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.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Pontiac dealer is ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
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When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles
(6 la).
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 filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
or 3 months-whichever comes first.
See the
Index under Oil Change
Indicator.
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.
If you have the STE, you have an oil
change indicator in the Driver
Information Center. See the
Index
under Driver Information Center.
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.
What to Do with Used Oil
CAUTION
* Used engine oil contains
L things that have caused skin
callcer 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.
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.
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