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.
6-15
ProCarManuals.com
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Maintenance Schedule
~~~~ .
Short Ikip/Cit"""'
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these. conditions is true for your vehicle:
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. (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 reasons 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
sooner.
I,
t
~~
Short Trip/City Intervals r
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 00'0 km), - Then Every
12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miks (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.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (I00 000 b): Engine Accessory
D'rive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occws first).
Spark Plyg Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intewals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to
follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages. . L . . .:-
ProCarManuals.com
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
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
(j2 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
vyou do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditiuns, the fluid
and filter do not require
changing.
Manual transaxle fluid doesn't require
change. delivery service.
DATE
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
I Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule I I I
ProCarManuals.com
45,000 Miles (75.000 km) +
Cl Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage
and transaxle shift linkage (or
every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
50,000 .I Miles (83.000 km)
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
(3 2 * C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
7-30
ProCarManuals.com
100,QOQ Miles (1 66 000 km) (Continued)
Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control
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
Sewice.
~. (32" C) or higher.
.... . . . , - :~-, In hilly or mountainous terrain. I.'<.. .s'l ', ..
..
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any bf these
conditions,
the fluid and filter do not require
changing. 4
Manual transaxle fluid doesn't require
change. delivery
sefiice.
7-36
ProCarManuals.com
Brake Adjustment
................................... 6-31
Fluid .................... '. .................. 6-28
Master
Cylinder ............................... 6-28
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-31
Replacing System Parts ........................ 6-31
System Warning Light .................... 2-56, 6-29
Trailer ...................................... 4-37
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check .. ............... 7-39
Wear ....................................... 6-30
Brakes, Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6
Braking ......................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies .......................... 4-10
Break-In. New Vehicle ........................... 2-1 1
Brightness Control .............................. 2-41
BTSI Check ................................... 7-39
Bulb Replacement ......................... 6-33. 6-59
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................ 8-6
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-60
Carbon Monoxide ..................... 2-28.4-28. 4-37
Cassette Deck Service ........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player ............................ 3- 10
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-25
Cassette Tape Player Errors ....................... 3-1 1
Cassette Tape Player. Remote ...................... 3-19
CD Adapter Kits .......................... 3-13. 3-16
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3-2 1
Center Console Storage Area ...................... 2-46
Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-33
CertificatiorQTire Label ........................... 4-32
Parking ..................................... 2-24 Chains. Sagety
................................. 4-37 .
Chains. Tire ................................... 6-44
Changing a Flat Tire .............................. 5-21
Check Engine Light ............................. 2-60
Check Oil Light ................................ 2-64
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-47
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-51
Child Restraints ................................ 1-36
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-37
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-39
Securing in the Passenger Seat Position ........... 1-41
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-41
Top
Strap ................................... 1-37
Wheretoput ................................ 1-36
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 2-47
Circuit Breakers and Fuses ........................ 6-55
Cleaner. Air ................................... 6-16
Cl. eaning ...................................... 6-45
Aluminum Wheels ............................ 6-50
Fabric ...................................... 6-46
Glass ....................................... 6-48
Inside of Yon Pontiac ......................... 6-45
Instrument Panel .............................. 6-48
Leather ..................................... 6-47
Outside of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-49
Spelcial Problems ............................. 6-46
Stains ...................................... 6-46
Tires ....................................... 6-50
Vinyl ....................................... 6-47
Wheels ..................................... 6-50
Windshield and Wiper Blades .................... 6-48
9-2 .
ProCarManuals.com
Climate Control System ........................... 3-1 .
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning ......... 3-3
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-8
Clutch. Hydraulic
............................... 6-21
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic
.......................... 6-22
Comfort Controls
................................ 3 - 1
Compact Disc Adapter Kit ................... 3- 13, 3- 16
Compact Disc Care .............................. 3#-25 .
Compact Disc Player ............................ 3-17
Compact Disc Player Errors
.... ................... 3 - 18
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-31
Control
of a Vehicle ............................... 4-5
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-45
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Heater. Engine
............................... 2- 16
Surge Tank ................................... 5-16
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
....................... 6-26
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-7
Cruise Control ................................. 2-35
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-2
Coinholder
.................................... 2-46
Cooling System ....................... .( ........ 5-14
Customer Assistance Information
.................... 8- 1
Damage. Finish ................................ 6-51 Defensive Driving
............................... 4- 1
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-7
Defogging
..................................... 3-6
Defrosting
...................................... 3-6
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................. 6-61
Dolby@
B Noise Reduction ....................... 3-12
Driver Position
................................. 1-12 Door Locks .................. ,. .................. 2.-3
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-21
Night
. '\. .................................... 4-15
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-39
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-23
Through Water ................................ 4-19
Winter
....................................... 4-25
With a Trailer ................................ 4-38
-In a Blizzard .................................. 4-27
In Foreign Countries ............................ 6-3
IntheRain
................................... 4-17
OnCurves
.................................. 4-10
On Snow and Ice .............................. 4-26
WetRoads
.................................. 4-17
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
' .. 4 . 0 . . ;.&$ ... .:;::.I.... .... :?&% Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-50 .. VI
Daytime Running Lamps ......................... 2-40 Easy Entry Seat ...................
Dead Battery ................................... 5-2 Electrical Equipment. Adding ...... 2-
Defects. Reporting Safety ......................... 8-9 Electrical System ...................
.............
14.2.15.3.24. 6254 1-6
............ 6-54
9-3
ProCarManuals.com