Page 216 of 354

Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher.
It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 i.n
the United States and CGSB 3592 in Canada. These
hels should have the proper additives,
so you should not
have to add anything to the fuel.
h the United States and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you
get the right kind
of gasoline (unlea.ded). You.’ll see
UNLEADED right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is
at least 87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
Lf you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy hocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you dan’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinmg. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem. What
about gasoline with blending materials that
contain oxygen (oxygenates), such
as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is no
more than
15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that is no more than
10% ethanol is fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for
your vehicle. Don’t use it. It can corrode metal parts
in your fuel system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts, That damage wouldn’t
be
covered under your warranty. And even at 5 % or
less, there must be “cosolvents’’ and corrosion
preventers
in this fuel to help avoid these
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Gasolines for Cleaner Air Fuels in Foreign Countries
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will
help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and
fuel system. That helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working properly. It’s
good for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for
cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use gasolines with
these blending materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide
levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers
are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines
are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts
of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain deposit control additives and
oxygenates, and if they have been reformulated to
reduce vehicle emissions.
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode, and
your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oskawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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Filling Your Tank The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of your
vehicle.
While refueling, hang the cap inside the fuel
door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
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Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Pontiac” in the Index. When
you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three
clicks.
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get
one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit
or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
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Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
If I1 I
-
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil Level Light” in
the Index.
You should check your engine
oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
It’s a good idea
to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must
be on level ground. 3.1L
L82
(Code M) Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front
of the engine.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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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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Mation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label which is on the rear
edge of the driver’s door if you have a two-door or on
the inside of the trunk lid if you have a four-door shows
the correct inflation pressures for your tires, when
they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehicle has been
sitting
for at least three hours or driven no more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation) you can
get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
0 Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
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Underhood Electrical Center -- P - . er
Side
on0 ENGEMIS TCC
on0 F/INJN ECM IGN ELEK IGN
1
-
13
Fuse
WCMPT REL
ECM BAT
TCC
ENG EMIS
F/INJN
Description
Remote Trunk Release, Backup
Powertrain Control Module
(PCM), Fuel Pump Switch, Fuel
Pump Relay,
Fan Cont #1 Relay
Automatic Transaxle, Transaxle
Range Switch
(VIN M only)
Fan Cont
#2 Relay, NC CMPR
Relay
(VIN M only)
Fuel Injectors
Lamps
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