1995 PONTIAC PONTIAC Owners Manual

3.1L L82 (Code M) Engine 3.4L LQl (Code X) Engine
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere
in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be
identified by looking for the “Starburst” symbol.
The
“Starburst” symbol indicates that the oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), and
is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
If you change your own
oil, be sure you use oil that
has the “Starburst” symbol
on the front
of the oil
container. If you have your
oil changed for you, be sure
the oil put into your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
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RECOMMENOED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEi
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
“F
+loo-
+BO-
+ 60 -
+40-
+ 20 -
0-
“C
+ 38
+ 27
+ 16
+fa
-7
- la

d
COLD
I
h4
SAE 1OW-30
Slt ad-30 PREFERRED
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going
to be
0°F (- 1 8 O C) or above. 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.
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When to Change Engine OiI
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.
driving in stop and go traffic).
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
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.
your
vehicle.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
comes first.
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.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know 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 collects used 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.
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Air Cleaner
To check or replace the air filter, remove the four screws
and pull
off the cover. Full out the filter.
Be sure
to install the air filter and
install the cover tightly when
you are finished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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~~~ NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging
engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage
it. Always
have the
air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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.
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.
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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.
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 15 miles (24 km)
when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If it's
colder
than 50°F ( 1O"C), you may have to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
running.
in
PARK (P).
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 to five minutes. Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these
steps:
3.1L
L82 (Code M) Engine 3.4L LQl (Code X) Engine
1. The transaxle fluid dipstick handle is the red loop
near the back of the engine. Pull out the dipstick and
wipe
it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
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3.1L L82 (Code M) Engine 3.4L LQ 1 (Code X) Engine
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
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 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 level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(OSL). Don’t overfiZ1. 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.
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.
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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
or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128 “C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights 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 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M 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.
I 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.
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