1994 PONTIAC GRAND-AM oil

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 ...
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
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
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:
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transaxle.
Too much
can mean that some of the fluid
could come out and fall on hot
engine parts or exhaust system,
starting a fire. Be sure
to get an
accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking
the transaxle fluid level
if you have been
driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot
weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should
,e at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Set the vehicle warmed up by driving
ibout 15 miles
(24 km) when outside
iemperatures are above
50°F (10°C). If
it’s colder than 50°F
(IOOC), you may
have to drive longer.
To Check the Fluid Level
1. Keep the engine running. Park your
vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place
the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal,
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK
(P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to
five minutes.
ProCarManuals.com

I Service & Appearance Care
Manual Transaxle
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine
oil is changed. However, the
tluid
in your manual transaxle doesn't
require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little
diftlcult,
you may choose to have this done
at a Pontiac Dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow a11
the instructions here, or you could get a
false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little tluid can
darnage
your transaxle. Too much
can mean that some
of the tluid
could come out and fall
011 hot
engine parts or exhaust system,
starting a fire. Be sure
to get an
accurate reading
if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Check the tluid 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.
I
hen, Follow These Steps:
I Flip the handle up and the.n pull out
the dipstick and clean it with a rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way and remove
It.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be between the
ADD and FULL
marks. (Note: Fluid may appear at the
bottom
of the dipstick even when the
tluid level is several pints low.)
4. If the tluid level is where it should be,
push the dipstick back in all the way
and flip the handle down. If the fluid
level is low. add more fluid as
described
in the next steps.
. .* 186
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
How to Check:
The proper fluid should be added if the
level is at or below the STEP mark on the
reservoir cap. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
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, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index,
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
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.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage 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. 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.
... 188
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
Brake Master Cylinder
(CONT.)
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 wil1,come on.
See “Brake System Warning Light” in the
Index.
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
:ontainer only, and always clean the brak
fluid reservoir cap before removing it.
NOTICE:
e
0
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.
3rake Wear
‘our Pontiac has front disc brakes and
ear drum brakes.
Xsc brake pads have built-in wear
ndicators that make a high-pitched
varning sound when the brake pads are
vorn and new pads are needed. The
ound may come and
go or be heard all
he time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal
irmly).
ProCarManuals.com

Here are some cleaning tips:
0
0
0
0
0
Always read the instructions on the
cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can
--
before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and
change to a clean area often. A soft
brush may be used if stains are
stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a
well-ventilated area only. If you use
them, don’t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning,
clean the entire area immediately or
it
will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner
on Fabric
0 Vacuum and brush the area to remove
any loose dirt.
0 Always clean a whole trim panel or
section. Mask surrounding trim along
stitch or welt lines.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
following .the directions on the
container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean
sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub
it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section,
use a sponge to remove the suds.
Rinse
the section with a clean, wet
sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly
damp paper towel
or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow
dryer or
a heat lamp.
NOTICE:
Be careful with a hair dryer or heat
lamp. You could scorch the fabric. ~
0 Wipe with a
clean cloth.
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 a solvent:
0
0
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.)
205 .
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
Special Cleaning
Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Such as 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.
Follow the solvent-type instructions
described earlier.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and
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 'spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Such as catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit,
fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit,
urine and blood.
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge the soiled area with cool water.
D If a stain remains, follow the foam-type
instructions described earlier.
B If an odor lingers after cleaning
vomit or urine, treat the area with
a waterbaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to
1 cup (250 ml) of lukewarm water.
B If needed, clean lightly with
solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Such as candy, ice cream, mayonnaise,
:hili sauce and unknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
clean with cool water and allow to dry.
If a stain remains, clean it with
solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to
remove dirt. You may have to do it
more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe
polish will stain if you don't get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Cleaning Leather
Jse a soft cloth with lukewarm water and
L mild soap or saddle soap.
B For stubborn stains, use a mild
solution of 10% isopropyl alcohol
(rubbing alcohol) and
90% water.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive cleaners,
furniture polish
or shoe polish on
leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned
immediately. If dirt is allowed to work
into finish,
it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the
Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the
top surfaces of the instrument panel.
Sprays containing silicones or waxes may
cause annoying reflections
in the
windshield and even make
it difficult to
see through the windshield under certain
conditions.
. . .206
ProCarManuals.com