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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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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 256 of 386

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
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).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle
warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when
outside temperatures
&e above 50°F (10°C).
If its colder than 50" F (10" C) drive the vehicle in
DRIVE (D) until the engine temperature gage moves
and then remians steady for ten minutes. Then
follow
the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is
made after the vehicle has been sitting for eight hours or
more with the engine
off and is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside
temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it's colder
than 50°F (lO"C), you may have to idle the engine
longer. Should the fluid level be low during a cold
check, you
must perform a hot check before adding
fluid. This will give you
a more accurate reading of the
fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
running.
in PARK (P).
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).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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Page 257 of 386
Then, witho.ut shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
3.4L Transmission Dipstick Location
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3.8L Transmission Dipstick Location 3.4L and 5.7L Transmission Dipstick
1.
2.
3.
Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
Check both sides
of the dipstick, and read the lower
level.
The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a cold
check or in the HOT area for a cross hatch area for a hot
check.
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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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