1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM engine

What Kind of’Oil to Use
3.1L Engine
The 3.1L engine oil fill cap is on the front of the engine,
behind the radiator.
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.
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
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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' RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE gNOINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL llscosnrr GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RAW6E.
HOT
WEATHER
/
SAE iw-# PREFERRED
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
GOLD
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 (- 18 C) or above. These numbers on an ~il
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 2OW-50.
T
t
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 tW ssmethin~ should be added.
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When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tQw a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
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 first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
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 your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment.
1. Remove the screws that hold the cover on.
2. Lift off the cover.
3. Reinstall the air cleaner fi
tightly. lter
and replace
the cover Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause
you or others to be burned, The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires,
you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
I 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.
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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:
0 In heavy ,city traffic where the outside, temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such zp 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.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at your Pontiac 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.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C)
or higher.
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 the transaxle
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.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 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 krn) 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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Checking the Fluid Level
' Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in
PARK (P). I
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each
gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then,
without shutting
off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. The automatic transaxle dipstick handle is red. Pull
out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper
towel.
2. hsh it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
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Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle
is parked on a level place and the transaxle is
cool enough for
you to rest your fingers on the tJransaxle
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil. is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual transaxle Then, foll\
ow these steps:
doesn't require
changing.
case.
How to Check
Because this operation can b'e a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership
Service Department.
iG Jf you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the , .,..!%$i- k%4nstructions here, or you could get a false reading on the
,> , . ".
dipstick.
I
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 yuur
transaxle fluid.
1, The manual transaxle dipstick is white and is located
on the driver's side rear of the engine. Flip the
handle up and then pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way and remove it.
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When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule
to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level
in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for
the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks
and Services” and
“Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the
How tu Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level is at or
below the
STEP mark on the reservoir cap. See the
instructions
on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant.
This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle
for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 h),
whichever occurs first. The
following explains
your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in the
Index.
A Sol50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 9 F ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
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