1995 PONTIAC GRAND-AM engine

Air Filter Replacement
1. Remove the screws on the housing cover and pull the
cover back.
2. Remove the air cleaner filter.
3. Install the replacement air cleaner filter and replace
the cover.
4. Tighten screws on the air filter cover.
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 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.
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).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
6-18
ProCarManuals.com

To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24
h) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If
it's colder than 50 "F ( 10 "C), you may have to drive longer.
to
93°C).
To check the fluid level
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
in PARK (P).
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
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 €or three to five minutes. Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transaxle dipstick handle is red. Pull out
the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag
or paper towel.
1. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
2. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
3.
If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
6-19
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Fluid Manual Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into
the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper 1evel.It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a pint (OSL).
Dun ’t overjill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
described under “How to Check.”
dipstick back in all the way.
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual transaxle
doesn’t require changing.
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.
r 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.
6-20
ProCarManuals.com

Check the fluid 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.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and
2. Push it back in all the way and remove it.
clean it with a rag or paper towel.
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 fluid level
is several
pints low.)
4. If the fluid 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.
How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the dipstick by flipping the handle up and
2. Add fluid at the dipstick hole.
then pulling the dipstick out.
Add only enough fluid to bring the fluid level up to
the FULL mark on the dipstick.
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
3. Push the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the
6-21
ProCarManuals.com

Hydraulic Clutch Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often you should check the fluid level in your clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is master cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is “Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid. Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
It isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won’t correct a leak. How to Check
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
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:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF ( 128 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
6-22
ProCarManuals.com

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 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.
6-23
ProCarManuals.com

Adding Coolant To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
FULL COLD mark, or a little higher.
6-24
ProCarManuals.com

II WASH
FLUID
LOW
COOLANT
To Add Coolant
If this light comes on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
surge tank, but only when the engine is cool.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your pressure cap is an 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap, a GM
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
6-25
ProCarManuals.com