Page 228 of 338

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 20W-50. 
NOTICE: 
Use  only  engine  oil  with  the  American  Petroleum 
Institute  Certified  For  Gasoline  Engines 
“Starburst”  symbol.  Failure  to  use  the  proper 
oil 
can  result  in  engine  damage  not  covered  by  your 
warranty. 
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in  Canada, GM Engine  Oil) 
meets  all  the  requirements  for your  vehicle. 
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 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). 
This  is particularly  important when outside 
temperatures  are below  freezing. 
0 Most  trips  include extensive  idling  (such as frequent 
driving  in  stop and go traffic). 
Most  trips  are through  dusty areas. 
@ You frequently  tow  a  trailer or use  a  carrier on top of 
If any one  of these  is true  for your  vehicle,  then  you 
need to change  your  oil 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 and  filter  every 
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever 
comes first.  your  vehicle. 
Engine  Coolant  Heater 
An 
engine  coolant  heater  can be  a  big  help if  you  have 
to  park  outside  in  very  cold 
weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or 
colder.  If  your  vehicle  has  this option,  see “Engine 
Coolant  Heater”  in the  Index. 
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What to Do with Used Oil 
Did you how 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.) 
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  co’llects lased 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. 
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 &e. And, dirt can eady get 
into  your  engine, 
which will damage it. Always 
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving. 
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When to Check 
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every 
36 months. 
What  Kind. of Oil to Use 
See “Recommended  Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index 
and  use only the recommended oil. 
How to Check  and  Add Oil 
Check oil only  when  the engine is cold. Allow the 
engine to cool 
2 to 3 hours after running. 
1. Remove  the wiring  harness shield. 
2. Clean  the  area around  the  oil fill plug before 
removing it. 
3. Remove  the oil fill plug using  a 31 16 Allen wrench. 
4. The oil level  is correct when  it  just reaches the 
bottom 
of the  threads of the inspection hole. 
5. Replace the oil  plug with the O-ring in place.  Torque 
to 
10 Nom (88 lb. in.). 
6. Replace wiring harness shield. 
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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 detemrrine  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  your  Pontiac  dealer 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 parts,  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). 
At  high speed for  quite  a  while. 
In heavy  traffic - especially in hot weather. 
0 While pulling  a trailer. 
To get the right  reading, the fluid should be at normal 
operating  temperature,  which is 
180 "F to 200°F (82" C 
to 93 "C). 
Get  the  vehicle  warmed  up  by driving about €5 des (24 km) 
when  outside  temperatures  are  above 50°F (10°C). If it's 
colder 
than 50°F (lO"C), you  may  have to drive  longer. 
To check the fluid  level 
1. 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. 
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        Page 235 of 338

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 co’olant  for your Pontiac  will: 
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C). 
0 Give boiling protection up  to 262°F (128 “C). 
0 Protect against rust and corrosion. 
Help keep the proper engine temperature. 
Let the warning Sights 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 1825M,?’ which  won’t damage aluminum 
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming  to 
GM specification 1825M with a complete coolant flush 
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) 
with 
any 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 nrsix, yuur engine 
could overheat and be  badly damaged. The 
repair cast wouldn’t be mvmd by your 
warranty. T~o much water in the mix em freeze 
and crack the engine, radiabl; heater core  an’d 
other 
pa 
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        Page 241 of 338

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. 
I NOTICE: 
~ 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. 
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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        Page 268 of 338

Capacities  and  Specifications for Engine  Code K (L36) and  Code 1 (L67) 
Automatic  Transaxle AT 4T60E  (Overdrive) 
When  draining or replacing  torque convertec  more  fluid may be needed. 
Pan  Removal  and  Replacement .............................. 6 1/2 quarts 6.00 L 
After Complete  Overhaul ..................................... 11 quarts 10.50 L 
Coolingsystem .............................................. 13 quarts 12.00 L 
Air  Conditioning  Refrigerant  (R134a) ........................... See  refrigerant  charge  label  under  hood. 
............................... 
4.75 L 
Not all air conditioning refrigerants  are the same. If the air conditioning system  in your  vehicle  needs refrigerant, be  sure the 
proper  refrigerant  is used. 
If you’re  not sure, ask your  Pontiac  dealel:  For additional  information see  your “Warranty  and 
Owner  Assistance  Information 
” booklet. 
Enginecrankcase ........................................... 5 quarts 
Fuel Tank ................. 18 gallons 
Power Steering 
Oil change with  filter change. 
Pump Only ..... ................. 1 pint 0.50 L 
Complete  System ........................................... 1 11’2 pints 0.75 L 
68.00 L 
Tire Pressures,  Sizes .......................................... See  Tire-Loading  Information  label on 
Wheel Nut  Torque ... 100 lb-ft 
driver’s 
door. ,.. ... (140 Nam) 
NOTE: All  capacities  are  approximate.  When  adding,  be sure  to fill  to the  appropriate  level,  as  recommended  in  this manual. 
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        Page 269 of 338
Maintenance  Replacement  Parts 
' Air Cleaner Element ................................. AC Type A--1096C I 
I ................................... Engine  Oil Filter. AC 5pe PF--47 
Fuel Filter ......................................... AC Qpe GF--627 
PCV Valve ........................................ AC Type CV--892C- 
Remote Lock Control  Battery (2) ..................... -2016 
Spark  Plugs (236) Engine ............................ AC Qpe--41-606 
Spark Plugs (L67) Supercharged  Engine ................. AC Type--41 -601 
WiperBlade ..................................... 22144001 
Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 m) 
Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 mm) 
.... .. 
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