Page 189 of 386

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a
hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could
start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to
do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes, Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK (P), or REVERSE (R)
for a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered
in this manual, and the Index will help you find them
quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review
these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
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Page 242 of 386
3.4L L32 (Code S) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner
Oil
Fill Cap
Brake Fluid Reservoir
Power Steering Reservoir
Windshield Washer Reservoir
Engine Fan Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
6-9
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3.8L L36 (Code K) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner Oil
Fill Cap
Brake Fluid Reservoir
Power Steering Reservoir Windshield Washer Reservoir
Engine Fan Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if equipped)
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Page 244 of 386
5.7L LT1 (Code P) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner
Oil Fill Cap
. ., ' I 7: . $: ,;
Brake Fluid Reservoir ,? : .'y-;
Power Steering Reservoir .X&:
Windshield Washer Reservoir $i.
Engine Fans
Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
._ .. '$# .
jp;
d
;j
F , ,i
0 x. : .9' 2'
6-11
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Page 255 of 386
4. Open the air cleaner and remove the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission 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 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
transmission.
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
transmission fluid.
.
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Page 259 of 386
3.8L Transmission Dipstick
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 transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT. (A COLD check is used only as a reference.)
If
the fluid level is low, add only .enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level up
to the HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint.
Don ’t oveflill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRON@-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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Page 306 of 386

Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in U.S.
and metric conversions.
Air Conditioning? See the refrigerant information label
under the hood.
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill .................. 10 pt. (4.7 L)*
VIN Engine Code S and K ....... 17.6 pt. (8.3 L)*
VIN Engine Code P ............ 21.6 pt. (10.2 L)*
VIN
Engine Code S
Overhaul
Cooling System
With Manual Transmission . . , . . 12.5 qt. (11.8 L)
With Automatic Transmission ... 12.3 qt. (11.6 L)
VIN Engine Code K
With Manual Transmission ..... 12.5 qt. (1 1.8 L)
With Automatic Transmission ... 12.3 qt. (11.6 L)
With Manual Transmission ..... 15.3 qt. (14.5 L)
With Automatic Transmission ... 15.1 qt. (14.3 L)
VIN Engine Code P
Crankcase
Without Filter Change ........... 4.0 qt. 1 (3.8 L)**
With Filter Change ............. 5.0 qt. (4.7 L)**
Fuel Tank ...................... 15,5 gal. (58.7 L)
Manual Transmission
Five-Speed
.................... 5.9 pt. (2.8 L)*
Six-Speed ..................... 8.0 pt. (3.8 L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant ................. 3.5 pt. (1.7L)
? 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 dealer.
* Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid”
in the Index.
** Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
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Page 311 of 386

Maintenance Schedule
Schedule I Definition
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is
true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
Schedule I should also be followed if the vehicle is used
for delivery service, police, taxi, or other commercial
application.
your car.
Schedule I Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Months
Engine Oil and Filter Change
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
Chassis Lubrication
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles
(25 000 km)
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
Every 15,000 Miles (25
000 km)
Tire Rotation
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Vehicles Towing Trailers)
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Limited Slip Differential)
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions
Automatic Transmission Service (severe conditions)
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Spark Plug Replacement (Except 5.7L Code
P engine)
Spark Plug Wire Inspection
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
Cooling System Service (or every 24 months)
Spark Plug Replacement
(5.7L Code P engine only)
Automatic Transmission Service (normal conditions)
24 months)
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
7-4
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