
Are you low on fuel?
As your engme starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as’ efficiently as designed since small- amounts
of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving ,trips
to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel”
in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may
notice
this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or
stumbling on acceleration. (These ’
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to
Imn on.
If you experience this condition, change the fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel
to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment.
and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Engine Oil Pressure 1,ig.ht
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may
stay
on after you start your
engine,
or come on when
you are driving.
This may indicate that oil is not going through your
engine quickly enough to keep it cool. the engine could
be low on oil, or could have some other oil problem.
If you are driving, carefully pull over to a safe location
and stop to check the oil level. See “Checking Engine
Oil” in the Index.
If the engine oil is low, add oil as required. See “Adding
Engine
Oil” in the Index.
3 71
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I 1r= U. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
....
/r CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which
it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after
a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
I A CAUTION: a
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall
off, causing a serious accident.
I
,
: ,. -.
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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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I RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS 1
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
I SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
/
COLD
I WEATHER
SAE 5W-30
WOK
FOR THIS 4
SYMBOL
SAE 10W-30 PREFEMEO abow (PF (-18°C)
DO NOT USE SAE MW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown.in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than 60 OF (1 6 O C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, you should use
SAE
5W-30. 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
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ 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.
6-15
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a
a
a
a
a
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a
trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle
is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to
break down sooner. 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
occurs first.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs fiist. Driving a vehicle with
a fully warmeld
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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
you used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
I
6-16
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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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NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
’ ‘ .
-coolant will require change sooner -- at
308,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture, you don’t need to
add anything else.
L
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
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 5060 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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Capacities and Specifications
Automatic Transaxle AT (Overdrive)
Pan Removal and Replacement .... '. ......................................
After Complete Overhaul ................................................
When draining or replacing torque converter, more fluid may be needed.
CoolingSystem .......................................................
Enginecrankcase .....................................................
Oil change with filter change
FuelTank .........................................
Windshield Wiper Blades
Type ..............................................
..
..
...
...
6.5 quarts (6.1 L)
11 quarts (10.4 L)
13 quarts (12.3 L)
4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
..
..
............ 18 gallons (68 L)
....................... Pin
Length
............................................................ 22 inches (565 mm)
Tire Pressures
See Tire-Loading Information label on driver's door
WheelNutTorque ......................................... ;........ lOOlb-ft(140N~m)
Refrigerant (R=l34a), Air Conditioning .................... See refrigerant charge label under the hood.
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