1994 PONTIAC GRAND-AM Owners Manual

Service & Appearance Care
Checking Things
Under the
Hood (CONT.)
Lift the hood, release the hood prop rod
from its retainer and put the hood prop
into the slot in the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the
filler caps are on properly. Then lift the
hood
to relieve pressure on the hood prop.
Remove the
hood prop from the slot in
the hood and return the prop to its
retainer. Then just let the hood down and
close
it firmly.
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2.3L Quad OHC and Quad
4 Engines (CODES 3,
D AND A)
When you open the hood, you'll see:
1. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
(if'equipped)
2. Brake Fluid Reservoir
3. Air Cleaner
4. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if so equipped)
5. Battery
6. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
7. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap, Engine Oil
Dipstick
3. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
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Service & Appearance Care
3.IL V6 Engine (CODE M)
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
1. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
3. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Air Cleaner
5. Battery
6. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
7. Engine Oil Dipstick
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap
9. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
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Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL light on the
instrument panel comes on,
it means you
need to check your engine oil level right
away. For more information, see “Check
Oil Light”
in the Index. You should check
the engine
oil regularly; this is an added
reminder.
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, and check the level.
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.
Adding Engine Oil
Just fill it enough to put the level
somewhere
in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back
in
when you are through.
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.
179. . .
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.
Service & Appearance Care
What Kind of Oil to Use
3eginning midyear 1993, oils of the
)roper quality for your vehicle will be
dentified with this new “starburst”
;ymbol. The “starburst” symbol indicates
hat the
oil has been certified by the
imerican Petroleum Institute
(API), and
s preferred for use in your gasoline
‘ngine.
(ou should look for this on the front of
he oil container, and use only oils that
lisplay this new symbol.
(ou should also use the proper viscosity
Iil for your vehicle, as shown in the
ollowing chart:
I 80
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.
HOT
WEATHER
LOOK FOR
ONE OF THESE
LABELS
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE low-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
4s shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
or your vehicle. However,
you can use
;AE 1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F
- 18 “C) or above. These numbers on an
)il container show its viscosity, or
hickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
uch as
SAE low-40 or SAE 20W-50.
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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:
0 SHorSG
“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.
0 SAE 5W-30
e 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 above.
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 for
your vehicle.
181 ...
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Service & Appearance Care
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Pontiac dealer is ready to advise
if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine
Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles
(6 km).
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.
[f any one of these is true for your
Vrehicle, then you need to change your oil
md filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or-
3 months -- whichever comes first.
[f none of them is true, change the oil
=very 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 (- 18OC) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater” (Engine Block Heater)
in
the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
lid you know that used engine oil
:ontains certain elements that may be
Inhealthy
for your skin and could even
:awe cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your skin
md nails with soap and water, or a good
land cleaner. Wash or properly throw
lway clothing or rags containing used
mgine oil. (See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil
products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the
mvironment.
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 problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or
a local
recycling center for help.
... 182
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Air Cleaner
!der to the Maintenance Schedule tn
etemrne when to replace the 311- filter
;ee “‘Scheduled Maintenance Services“ in
?e 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 placp
when you’re driving.
Air Filter Replacement
1. Remove the screws on the housing
cover and pull the cover back.
2. Remove the air cleaner filter.
3. Install the replacement air cleaner
filter and replace the cover.
4. Tighten screws on the air filter cover.
183...
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