1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE engine oil

Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
C
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
.
A. Coolant recovery tank
B. Radiator pressure cap
C. Electric engine fans
5-17
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the
FULL COLD mark, add-a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolarit” in the Index for
more information.)
Adding only plain water to your cooning system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
CAUTION: (Continued) -coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
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Fuel Door Manual Release (‘Option)
L
If your vehicle has a fuel
door lock, the fuel door
can be opened manually
in case of an electrical
power
failure.
Y
Open the trunk, the release mechanism is on the driver’s
side
of the vehicle, at the top of the trunk compartment.
Pull the tab rearward
to release the fuel door.
NOTICE:
Prying on a locked fuel filler door can damage it.
Use the remote fuel door manual release located
in the trunk.
Checking T,hings Under the Hood
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important underhood
parts.
A CAUTION:
i
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine
is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
A CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids,
and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
6-8
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3800 Series I1 Engine (L36 - Code K)
When you open the bod, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick G. Brake Master Cylinder
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap H. Air Cleaner
F. Automatic
Transaxle Fluid Dipstick I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6-10
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3800 Supercharged Engine (L67 - Code 1) (Option)
When you open the hood, ~011'11 see:
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank D. Engine Oil Dipstick G. Brake Master Cylinder
B. Battery
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap H. Air Cleaner
C. Radiator Pressure Cap F. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6-11
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Supercharged Engine (Option)
Your Bonneville may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The supercharger is a device which is designed
to pump
more
air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the supercharger is a pump
and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required
during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling
and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through
a bypass.
All of these controls, working together provide high
performance character
and fuel efficiency in the
38010 V6 Supercharged engine.
The-power steering pump uses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttle and cruise control cable bracket.
See “Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
I ’. .. ,- .. .. , . -. :? 1
Engine Oil
CHECK OIL
LEVEL
If the CHECK OIL
LEVEL light on the
instrument panel comes
on, it means
you need to check
your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see “Check 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.
6-12
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The engine oil dipstick
is located immediately
behind the engine
fans
and in front of the
engine oil
fill cap. The
top
of the dipstick is a
round, yellow loop.
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.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-13
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When to Add Oil What Kind of Oil to Use
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need to Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
explains what
kind of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index. Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any oil which
E
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
:
operating range, your engine could be damaged. cross-hatched
area that shows the proper I
The engine oil fill cap is behind the engine oil dipstick
and engine fans.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere
in the
proper operating range. Push tKe dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
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. I
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
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