The coolant level should be at or above
the
COLD mark. If it isn’t, you may
have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
~ CAUTION
A
Heater and radiator hoses,
and other
engine parts, can
be very hot. Don’t touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Don’$ run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it could
lose all coolant. That could cause
an engine fire, and you could be
burned. Get any leak fixed before
I vou drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank:
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t at or above
COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water (preferably distilled) and a proper
antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank.
(See the
Index under Engine Coolant
for more information about the proper
coolant mix.)
A
Adding only plain water to
your cooling system
can be
dangerous. Plain water,
or some I
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.
cold weather, water can free-
d crack the engine, radiatnr
ater core and other parts.
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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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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
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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.
ProCarManuals.com
I
NOTICE
If you use an improper coolant
mix, your engine could overheat
and be badly damaged. The repair
cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the
mix can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
i,,~~~,~,,”;l,,I;i,.,t”. ~~,,,~,~,~~~~,~,~~.~~~,~
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant:
When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at
COLD or a little
higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be up to
HOT or a little
higher.
If this light comes on, it means you’re
low on engine coolant.
To Add Coolant:
I€ you need more coolant, add the
proper mix at the coolant recovery
tank. n
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ITEM
NO. SERVICE
ITEM NO. SERVICE
5
6
Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection
(California
3.1L Code T, engine*)-Inspect the
belt for cracks, fraying, wear and proper tension.
Replace as needed,
Camshaft Timing Belt Inspection
(3.4L Code X
engine only)*-Inspect for cracks, wear or oiliness.
Check tensioner for proper operation. See the
service manual. (To purchase a service manual,
see the
Index under Publications.) Replace parts
as needed.
7 Cooling System Service*-Drain, flush and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to
GM Specification 1825111. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See the
Index under Coolant. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level, and engine
operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
. clamps. Clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap
and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend a
pressure test of both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
8 Transaxle Service-For manual transaxles, fluid
doesn’t require changing.
For automatic transaxles, change both the fluid
and filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 lun) if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
9
10
When doing frequent trailer towing. (With some
models,
you shouldn’t ever tow a trailer. See the
Index under Towing a Trailer.)
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 000 km).
Spark Plug Replacement *-Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See the
Index under
Replacement Parts.
Spark Plug Wire Inspection*+Inspect for
burns, cracks
or other damage. Check the boot fit
at the coils and at the spark plugs. Replace wires
as needed.
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Section B: Owner Checks & Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be
performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the
safety, dependability and emission control performance of
your vehicle. Be
sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle,
make sure they are the proper ones, as
shown in Section D.
At Each Fuel Fill (It is important for you or a sewice station attendant to perform these underhood checks at each fue\
l fill..)
CHECK
OR SERVICE WHAT TO DO
i
I Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if necessary. See the Index under Engine Oil for
further details.
I
Engine Coolant Level Check the engine coolant level in the coolant recovery tank and add the proper coolant mix if
I necessary. See the Index under Coolant for further details.
Windshield Washer See the
Index under Windshield Washer Fluid for further details.
Fluid Level Check the windshield washer fluid level in
the windshield washer tank and add fluid
if necessary.
At Least Once a Month h
CHECK
OR SERVICE WHAT TO DO
Tire Inflation
Check tire inflation. Make
sure they are inflated to the pressures specified on the Tire-Loading
Information label located on the rear edge of the driver’s door or inside the trunk lid. See the
Index under Tires for further details.
At Least Twice a Year h I CHECK
OR SERVICE WHAT TO DO
Hydraulic Clutch
in this system could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired at once.
System Inspection Check the fluid level in
the clutch reservoir. See the Index under Hydraulic Clutch. A fluid loss
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