
Service & Appearance Care
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 “Capacities and
Specifications” in the Index.
, . .206
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper operating
range, your engine could be
damaged.
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
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the
proper quality for
your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst”
symbol. The “starburst” symbol indicates
that the oil has been certified by the
American Petroleum Institute (API), and is suitable for use
in your gasoline engine.
You should look for this on the front of
the
oil container, and use only oils that
display this new symbol.
You should also use the proper viscosity
oil for your vehicle,
as shown in the
following chart:
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Recommended SAE Viscosity
Grade Engine Oils
For best fuel economy and cold starting,
select the lowest
SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range.
LOOK FOR fi
HOT ONE OF THESE -. FOR ~
WEATHER LABELS
P c
-
-
SAE 1 OW-30 PREFERRED
SAE 5W-30
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).
ANOTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED.
DO
NOT USE
SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 5W-30
if it’s going to be colder
than 60°F (16°C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, you should
use SAE 5W-30. 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.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should
look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
SHor SG
“SH” or “SG’ must be on the oil
container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such
as “SH/CD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,”
etc. These letters
show American
Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality.
SAE low-30
0 Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container
will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in
a doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on most
containers. If you cannot find oils
with
the “starburst” symbol, you should look
for oils
with the doughnut shaped symbol,
containing the three things noted
previously.
C
207.
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Service & Appearance Care
What Kind of Oil to Use
‘CONT.)
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API SH or SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements fc
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
I Don‘t add anything to your oil. Your
Pontiac dealer is ready
to advise if you
[hink something should be added.
When to Change Engine
Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles
(6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as
in door-to-door delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need
to change your giJ
and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or
3 months -- whichever comes first. (See
“Change Oil Indicator”
in the Index.)
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.
Engine Coolant Heater
(Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help
if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-ISOC) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil
contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even
cause cancer‘? 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. (See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal of oil
products.)
. . .208
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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 putting
it in the trash,
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 proplem
properly disposing of your used oil; ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire
can cause a damaging engine fire.
And, dirt can easily get into your
engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner in place
when you’re driving.
To Check or Replace (3800 Engine):
1. Unscrew the three wing screws in the
housing cover and pull back.
t
209.. .
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2. Unscrew the clamp on the air intake
hose where the hose attaches to the
throttle body near the top
of the
engine. Detach the hose from the
throttle body, then pull back the rear
of the housing cover.
3. Remove the air filter,
4. Be sure to install the air filter and
replace the cover tightly.
5. Reattach the air intake hose and
tighten the clamp.
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 “Scheduled Maintenance
Services”
in the Index.
How to Check
,- , .. : : j! ? !i
Because this operation can be a little
difficult,
you may choose to have this
done at a Pontiac Dealership Service
Department.
211 b..
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3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back in all the
way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transaxle fluid to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants’’
in the Index. 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.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough
fluid at the dipstick hole to bring
it to
the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally
less than a pint
(OSL). Don’t overfill.
We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXR0N’-I11
or
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with
that label are made especially for your
automatic transaxle. Damage caused
by fluid other than DEXRON@-I11 or
DEXR0N’-IIE is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under “How to
Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is
obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way. ..
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when
it is
1.0~. If
you have a problem with engine
overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
0
0
Give freezing protection down to
-34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to
,262”F
( 128 “C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
r
213...
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Service & Appearance Care
Brake Master Cylinder
(CONK)
work at all. So, it isn’t a good idea to “top
off’ your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid.
won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll
have too much fluid when you get new
brake linings.
You should add (or remove)
brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level,
your brake warning light will come on. A
chime will sound
if you try to drive with
this warning light on. See “Brake System
Warning Light” in the Index.
. . .218
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid
-- such as Delco
Supreme 11
@ (GM Part No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake
fluid reservoir cap before removing
it.
NOTICE:
e Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in your brake
system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that
they’ll have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage
paint,
so be careful not to
spill brake fluid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it
off
immediately. See
“Appearance Care”
in the
Index.
Brake Wear
Your Pontiac has front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and
go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
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Service & Appearance Care
Capacities and Specifications
Automatic Transaxle AT 4T60E (Overdrive)
When draining or replacing torque converter, more fluid may be needed.
Pan Removal and Replacement .................................. 6.5 quarts
After Complete Overhaul
...................................... 11 quarts
Cooling System ................................................... 13 quarts 6.00
L
10.50 L
12.00 L
Refrigerant (R134A), Air
Conditioning ............................... See refrigerant charge label under hood.
Not all air conditioning refiigerants are the same. If the air conditioning sys-
tem in your vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure the proper
refrigerant is used. If
you’re not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer.. For additional information, see
your “Warranty and Owner Assistunce Information” booklet.
Enginecrankcase ................................................. 4 quarts
When chunging filter, up to 1 quart (I liter) more oil may be needed.
FuelTank ........................................................ 18 gallons
Power Steering
PumpOnly ..................................................... 1 pint
Complete System
................................................ 1.5 pints
3.75 L
68.00 L
0.50
L
0.75 L
Tire Pressures, Sizes ............................................... See Tire-Loading Information label on
driver’s door.
Wheel Nut Torque ................................................. 100 Ib. ft. ( 140 Nom)
NOTE : All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
.. .242
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