1994 PONTIAC GRAND-AM engine

Problems on the Road
1 Cooling System (CONK)
If the coolant inside the coolant surge
tank is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down. The coolant level should be at or above
FULL COLD. 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. ~~~
NOTICE:
Engine
damage from running your
engine without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
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.
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How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t at or above
FULL
COLD,-add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water (preferably distilled) and a proper
antifreeze
at the coolant surge tank, but be
sure the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool
before
you do it. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more information about
the proper coolant
mix.)
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other
parts. So use
the recommended coolant.
L
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7
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure
cap off, start the engine and let
it run
until you can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside
the coolant surge tank may be lower. If
the level is lower, add more
of the
proper
mix to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches FULL COLD,
or just above the small cylinder at the
base
of the opening.
I
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure
the pressure cap is tight.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while
you’re driving, especially
if you maintain
your tires properly. If air goes out
of a
tire, it’s much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a
“blowout,” here are
a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that
side. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then
gently brake to
a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a skid and may require
the
same correction you’d use in a skid. In
my rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way you
want the vehicle to go. It may be very
wmpy and noisy, but you can still steer.
Sently brake to a stop, well off the road if
Jossible.
[fa tire goes flat, the next section shows
low to use your jacking equipment to
:hange a
flat tire safely.
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I Fuel
!.3L Quad OHC and Quad 4 Engines
Codes
3 and D) and 3.1L V6 Engine
Code
M):
’he 8th digit of your Vehicle
dentification Number (VIN) shows the
:ode letter for your engine. You will find
he VIN at the top left of your instrument
)anel. (See “Vehicle Identification
Vumber”
in the Index.)
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher. It should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the
U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have to add anything
to the
fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get
the right kind of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED’
right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If
the octane is less than
87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive.
If
it’s bad enough,-it can damage your
engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and
you still hear heavy knoclung,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry
if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel
to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.’’
Fuel that
is no more’than 15% MTBE is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t
use it.
It can corrode metal. parts in yohs
fuel system and also, damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
wouldn’t be covered under your
warranty. And even at
5% or less,
there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventers in
this fuel to
help avoid these problems.
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Service & Appearance Care
Fuel
2.3L High Output Quad 4 Engine
(Code A):
The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the
code letter for your engine. You will find
the VIN at the top left of your instrument
panel. (See “Vehicle Identification
Number” in the Index.)
Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at
91 octane
or higher. You may use middle
grade or regular unleaded gasolines, but
your vehicle may not accelerate as well.
The gasoline you use should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the
U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have to add anything to the
fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right kind of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED’
right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is
at least 91 (at least 89 for middle grade
and
87 for regular). If the octane is less
than
87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 91 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry
if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.’’
Fuel that
is no more than 15% MTBE is
Fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it.
It can corrode metal parts in your
fuel system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
wouldn’t be covered under your
warranty. And even at
5% or less,
there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventers in this fuel
to
help avoid these problems.
. . 172
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Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
That helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working
properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with
oxygenates. General Motors recommends
that you use gasolines with these blending
materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air,
especially in those parts of the country
that have high carbon monoxide levels.
[n addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines.
These gasolines are specially designed to
reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated
gasoline. By doing
so, you can help clean
the air, especially in those parts of the
zountry that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
lperators
if their gasolines contain deposit
zontrol additives and oxygenates, and if
:hey have been reformulated to reduce
fehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If you plan on driving in another country
outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel
may be hard to find. Do not use leaded
gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well
or at all. With continuous use, spark plugs
can get fouled, the exhaust system can
corrode, and your engine oil can
deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen
sensor will be damaged. All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact a major oil company that
does business in the country where you’ll
be driving.
You can also write us at the following
address for advice. Just tell
us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution
Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L 1 H 8P7
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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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