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.
223
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2. Remove the air cleaner filter.
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter
and replace the cover tightly.
Automatic Transaxle 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.
NOTICE I
00 much or too little fluid
mage your transaxle.
Too
n mean that some of the flu
Id come out and fall on
ho
ine parts, starting a fi
I
225 . .
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Service & Appearance Care
Manual Pransaxle 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 does not
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 YQU could get a false reading on the
dipstick.
’. 22%
00 little fluid can
amage your transaxle.
Too much
an mean that some of the fluid
ould come out and fall on hot
ngine parts, starting a fire. Be
ure to get
an accurate reading if
ou check your transaxle fluid. The manual
transaxle dipstick is located
on the driver’s
side near the rear of the
transaxle case.
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
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Service & Appearance Cam
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (CONTJ
How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the
level does not reach the bottom
of the
diaphragm when it’s in place in the
reservoir. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
230
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 or
if you need to add
coolant to your radiator, see the Index
under Engine Overheuling.
The proper coolant for your Pontia’c
will:
Give freezing protection do;wn to
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half dean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t darnage
-34°F (-3 7 “C) .
(12S°C).
temperature.
should.
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.
Adding only plain water
to
your cooling system can be
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 Droner antifreeze.
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Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type
cleaner at all. Some spots and stains
will clean
off better with just water and
mild soap.
If you need to use it, then:
Gently scrape excess soil from the
trim material with a clean, dull knife
or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning
should start at the outside of the
stain, “feathering” toward the center.
Keep changing to a clean section
of
the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric,
immediately dry the area with an air
hose, hair dryer,
or heat lamp to help
prevent a cleaning ring. (See the
previous
NOTICE.)
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains: Like grease,
oil, butter, margarine, shoe polish,
coffee with cream, chewing gum,
cosmetic creams, vegetable oils, wax
crayon, tar and asphalt.
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Then follow the solvent-type
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and
instructions
above.
asphalt will stain if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed
as
soon as possible. Be careful,
because the cleaner will dissolve them
and may cause them to bleed.
Non-Greasy Stains: Like catsup,
coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice,
milk,
soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine
and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge the soiled area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-
type instructions above.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit
or urine, treat the area with a water/
baking soda solution:
1 teaspoon
(5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup
(250 ml) of lukewarm water.
solvent-type cleaner.
Finally, if needed, clean lightly with
Combination Stains: Like candy, ice
cream, mayonnaise, chili sauce and
unknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
clean with cool water and allow to
dY.
solvent-type cleaner.
If a stain remains, clean it with
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Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires
sheet metal repair or replacement, make
sure the body repair shop applies anti-
corrosion material to the parts repaired
or replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Foreign Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, and other foreign
matter can damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain
on painted surfaces. Use
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces for these stains.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the finish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop into a
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer or other
service outlets. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow
removal and dust control can collect on
the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust)
can occur on the underbody parts such
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring,
flush these
materials from the underbody with
plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt
packed in closed areas of the frame
should be loosened before being
flushed. Your dealer or an underbody
vehicle washing system can do this for
you.
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Fuse Rating
(AMP-)
1 20
2
15
3 20
4
5
6
-7
8
9
10
11
10
10
15
10
Circuitry
AIR Pump (3.4L Manual)
Trunk Release, Back-up Lights (Auto)
ECM; Fuel
Pump
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Direct Ignition System
Fuel Injectors
Not Used
A/C Coil, Secondary Cooling Fan, Generator, Digital EGR,
Purge Canister, Back-up Lights
(3.4L Manual)
Primary Cooling Fan
(3.1L); TCC; AIR Pump (3.4L Manual)
Relay Rating Circuitry
(MAP.)
12 Fuel Pump
13 AIR Pump (3.4L)
14
Secondary Cooling Fan
15 Primary Cooling Fan
16 A/C Clutch Coil
Fusible Elements
17 60 Starter Solenoid
18 30 Cooling Fan (3.1L)
60 Cooling Fan (3.4L}
19 60 Blower Motor
20
60 Cooling Fan
21
30 Fuse Block
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Service & Appearance Care
Capacities & Specifications
Engine Crankcase
3.1L V6 ........................................................................\
.................... 4 quarts
Twin Dual Cam (DOHC)
3.4L V6 ................................................. 5 quarts
When changing filter, up to 1 quart (2L) more oil may be needed.
When draininglreplacing converter, more fluid may be needed.
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement .................................................... 4 quarts
After Complete Overhaul
............................................................. 7 quarts
Automatic Transaxle with Overdrive
When drainingheplacing converter, more fluid may be needed.
Pan Removal and Replacement .................................................... 6 quarts
After Complete Overhaul
............................................................. 8 quarts
(or more, as needed for converter and auxiliary coolers)
Manual Transaxle, 5-Speed
Complete Drain and Refill .............................................................. 2.25 quarts
3.8 L
4.8 L
3.8 L
6.6 L
5.8 L
7.5 L
2.1 L
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