
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.
Change both the fluid
and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In .heavy eity.traffic where the 'outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter
do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the Index.
..
I .(.. :.-'Bow to Check
Because &is operation can be a little dBicult, you may
choose to have
this done at your P'ontiac dealership
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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking.& .@an: Je
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.
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 (lO"C), you may
have
to drive longer.
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if my
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 h).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
I
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer QT use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow a trailer. See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.)
taxi, or other commercial application.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
One of the reasom you should follow this schedule if you
operate your vehicle under any of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine
oil to break down suoner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air- Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Supercharger
Oil Check (or’every 36 months,
whichever occurs first)
(3.8L Code 1 engine only).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 h): Automatic Tramaxle
Service
(severe conditiom only).
Every 60,000 Miles (I00 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection,
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months, whichever.occurs fist).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the comglbte maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-4
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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 1
50,OOO;Miles (83 000 km) 1 51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
An Emission Control Sewi'ce. more of these conditions:
3 months, whichever occurs first).
if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or
0 Change engine oil and filter (or, every
.. ,';I. .: - '-. - In heavy city traffic where the outside
.. , ' "-1;. . .' ?.- - . ' -. :- . temperature regularly reaches 90°F , .. . (32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
~
745
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Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap
and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission
Control Sewice. 1
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission
Replace spark plugs. An Emission
I
Control Service.
Control Service.
‘
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
. more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If YOU do not use your vehicle under any of these
c0nditions;thefluid andfilter donot require changing.
.. I .. , - . , c. - , . .; ..i’ . . i. .
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE ‘SERVICED BY:
;-
7-25
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Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule I
I 50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0' Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the 'outside,
temperature regularly reaches
90°F
(32°C) or highc,.
- III hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service. I
If you do nut use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
BATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
17 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering linkage,
transaxle shift linkage, paking brake cable
guides
md underbody contact points and linkage
(or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See 'Tire Inspection md Rotation"
in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional infurmation. During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for freedom of movement.
Refer to the appropriate GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
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Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
El Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission
Control Sewice.
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission
Replace spark plugs. An Emission
Control
Service.
Control Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly ,reaches
90 OF
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do
not require changing.
delivery service.
7-35
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Battery ........................................ 6-3 1
Jump Starting ....... ! ......................... 5-2
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
.............. 2- 10
Warning Light
............................... 2-64
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-8
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
BoostGage
.................................... 2-75
Adjustment
.................................. 6-3 1
Fluid
....................................... 6-28
Lamp Monitor
............................... 2-80
Master Cylinder .............................. 6-28
Parking ..................................... 2-26
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-3 1
System Warning Light
......................... 2-65
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
............. 2-30. 7-38
Brakes. Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6
Braking ........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In. New Vehicle .......................... 2- 16
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-44
BTSI Check
.............................. 2-30. 7-38
Bulb Replacement .............................. 6-32
Saver
.........'............................. 2-45
Warnings
.................................... 5-2
Belt. Engine Accessory
...................... 6-67. 6-68
Brake
PedalTravel
................................. 6-31
Trailer ...................................... 4-35
Wear
....................................... 6-30
Canadian Roadside Assistance .................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-65
Carbon Monoxide .................... 2-31.4-29. 4-35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7.36
Cassette Tape Player ....................... 3- 11 . 3-15
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-27
Cassette Tape Player Errors
.................. 3.13. 3.16
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3-23
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-23
Certification Label
.............................. 4-30
CertificationRire Label .......................... 4-30
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-26
Check Engine Light ............................. 2-69
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-74
Check Gages Messages
.......................... 2-79
Check Oil Level Warning Light .................... 2-72
Check Washer Fluid Message ..................... 2-79
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-43
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-55
Child Restraints
................................ 1-32
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-34
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-36
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-38
Where to Put
................................ 1-32
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-53
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-48
Check Oil Level Message ........ ............... 2-79
TopStrap
................................... 1-33
9-2
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Driving City
........................................ 4-20
Defensive .................................... 4-1
Freeway .............. , ..................... 4-21
In a Blizzard .................................. 4-28
IntheRain .................................. 4-1.7
Night ...................................... 4-15
Oncurves ................I.................. 4-10
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-37
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-23
On Snow and Ice .............................. 4-26
Through Water ................................. 4- 19
WetRoads ................................... 4-17
Winter ...................................... 4-25
With a Trailer
................................. 4-36
Drunken Driving ....................... ., ........ 4-2
. Drunken ...................... .,. ............. 4-2
. In Foreign Countries ............................ 6.-4
Electrical Equipment, Adding ........... 2.19.3.26. 6.58
Electrical System ........... :. .................. 6-58
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror .......... 2-46
Electronic Climate Control ........................ 3-3 .
Electronic Compass ............................. 2-8 1
Electronic Level Control ......................... 4-51
Engine ...................... , ............ 6-10. 6-11
Accessory Belt .......................... 6-67, 6-68
Coolant .... ’ ................................. 6-22
Coolant Heater .............. : ................ 2-20
Coolant Level Check ........................... 7-36
Coolant Temperature Gage ..................... 2-68
Exhaust ..................................... 2-31
Fuse Block (Driver’s Side) ....................... 6-59
Fuse Block (Passenger’s Side) ................. 6-61
Identification ................................ 6-57
Oil Level Check .............................. 7-36
Overheating ................................. 5-15
Running We Parked ......................... 2-31
Specifications ................................ 6-66
Starting YOW ................................. 2-18
Engine
Oil .................................... 6-12
Additives ................................... 6-15
Pressure Gage ....... .. ........................ 2-73
Pressure Light ............................... 2-71
Used ....................................... 6-16
When to Change .............................. 6-16
Ethan01 ........................................ 6-3
Exhaust, Engine ................................ 2-31
Exit Lighting ................................... 2-44
Express-Down Window .......................... 2-33
Express-Open Sunroof ........................... 2-55
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-50
Fan Control. Climate Control System ............ 3-1. 3-3
FillingYowTank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air ...................................... 6-17
Finish Care .................................... 643
FinishDamage ................................. 6-54
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-24
Flashers. Hazard Warning .......................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass Feature ........................... 2-35
Flat Tire, Changing ............................. 5-26
Fluid Capacities ................................ 6-65
Supercharged ................................ 6-12
Adding ..................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-13
9-4
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